The requested modifications by Hamas to a truce proposition submitted by the United States, which includes a total eviction of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, are “insignificant,” according to the top official of the militant group. Said modifications were deemed infeasible by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, leading the mediators to strive to bridge the divide.
Hamas anticipates choosing a roster of 100 long-sentenced Palestinians to be freed from Israeli prisons, as stated by a high-ranking Hamas representative. Among the objections raised by Hamas was the Israeli draft’s omission of 100 Palestinian detainees with substantial sentences, as well as the time limit set on the release of heavily sentenced prisoners to a maximum of 15 years left on their sentences.
The Hamas representative declared there was an absence of important amendments that would necessitate objections, according to their leadership. Despite Hamas’s proposal of various amendments to the Gaza ceasefire, many of which were unfeasible, Blinken reassured that mediators were committed to resolving differences.
A senior Hamas representative, Osama Hamdan, rejected claims that the Palestinian Islamist group had introduced new proposals, accusing Israel of scorn and the U.S. government of siding with a close partner. Jake Sullivan, the National Security Adviser of the White House, commented that Hamas’ projected amendments were primarily slight and “not unexpected”, but some varied more notably from what was discussed in a UN Security Council resolution endorsing US President Joe Biden’s plan earlier in the week.
Hamas is said to be seeking written affirmations from the U.S. on the ceasefire strategy. Moreover, Hamas emphasised its constructive contribution to the negotiations late on Wednesday and encouraged the U.S. to exert influence on Israel to accept a deal culminating in a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, comprehensive evacuation, reconstruction, and the release of Palestinian detainees. Despite claims from U.S. officials that Israel has agreed to Biden’s proposed ceasefire of May 31st, the Palestinian group reportedly stated that they have no confirmation from any Israeli authority of this acceptance.
The plan presented by Mr. Biden involves a ceasefire and sequential liberation of Israeli captives in Gaza, exchanged for Palestinian detainees in Israel, ultimately aiming for a definitive cessation of hostilities.
Speaking at a news conference alongside Qatar’s prime minister in Doha, Mr. Blinken revealed that several counterproposals from Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza since 2007, were aimed at altering terms previously agreed upon in past discussions.
Peacemaking attempts have been ongoing for months, involving representatives from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, to establish a ceasefire in the conflict. This has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and destruction in the densely populated region, and secure the release of more than 100 hostages currently believed to be held captive in Gaza.
Hamas had initially demonstrated an openness towards US peace proposals, but this was overshadowed by a lack of trust towards Israel and Washington. Mr. Blinken expressed his disappointment at Hamas’s delay of two weeks before proposing additional modifications, some of which deviated from previously agreed positions.
Late on Wednesday, Hamas conveyed its readiness to collaborate, accusing Israel of non-cooperation. They criticised Mr. Blinken’s stand as an extension of the American policy allegedly involved in the ‘brutal genocide’ against Palestinians. The statement accused the US of providing political and military protection for Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza.
Although the US proclaims that Israel has accepted its proposal, there has been no public confirmation from Israel. Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, has frequently stated that Israel will not halt its operations until Hamas is neutralised.
Major global powers are accelerating efforts to diffuse the conflict to prevent it escalating into a broader Middle East war, with rising hostilities along the Lebanese-Israeli border being a key concern.
The violence in Gaza originated on October 7th, when militants led by Hamas invaded across the border, killing 1,200 Israelis and reportedly taking more than 250 people hostage, based on Israeli data.
The subsequent Israeli military campaign has resulted in over 37,000 Palestinian deaths, displacement of most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation’s head warned of impending “severe hunger and famine-like states” in Gaza, with over 8,000 children under five diagnosed and receiving treatment for severe malnutrition.
The United Nations conducted an investigation which revealed that both Israel and Hamas had been involved in war crimes during the early stages of the war in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel’s activities were identified as crimes against humanity due to the extensive loss of civilian lives.
Even as diplomatic efforts were being made to negotiate a ceasefire agreement, Israel kept up its offensives in the core and south of Gaza, which are considered amongst the most lethal during this conflict.
On Wednesday night, locals reported an intensification of Israeli forces’ air and tank shelling in Rafah and the heart of Gaza. A residence was struck in an air raid launched by Israel in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, leading to three casualties, as confirmed by medics.
Earlier, locals had noted that Israeli forces had launched an aggressive bombardment across Gaza on Wednesday, with tanks edging towards northern Rafah, which lies adjacent to the Egyptian border.
Health officials from Palestine reported that an air strike carried out on Gaza City in the northern part of the region led to the death of six individuals, and a man in Rafah was killed by shell fire from a tank, as stated by Reuters.
[The copyright of this report belongs to Thomson Reuters, 2024]