Hamas has confirmed its acceptance of the Gaza ceasefire plan proposed by Washington, and supports the resolution of the United Nations Security Council calling for its enactment. However, a nameless Israeli official argues that the changes suggested by the group are tantamount to refusal. A representative from Hamas responded to the Israeli liberal newspaper Haaretz by saying their group agreed to Biden’s deal, and that it was Israel refusing the ceasefire agreement.
A senior member of Hamas, Izzat al-Rishq, stated on Wednesday that their response was “responsible, serious and positive”, and clears the way for negotiations. However, despite assertions from US President Joe Biden that the initiative came from Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s administration hasn’t officially adopted the plan. The Israeli government has declared that the conflict will continue until Hamas is rendered politically and militarily impotent.
The first phase of the plan, which includes a six-week ceasefire, the removal of Israeli forces from populated zones, and an exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners, is acceptable to both parties. The second phase, involving negotiations for a permanent truce and the release of all captives, is where Israel would like to halt. The Israeli government seeks to overpower Hamas and is yet to determine the prospect of Gaza after the war and the part that the Israeli military would play. Hamas, however, demands a timeframe for a permanent agreement, complete Israeli withdrawal, and Palestinian rule.
The onset of the third phase, which focuses on Gaza’s rebuilding, could present challenges if Israeli forces continue their occupation. Intermediaries Egypt and Qatar have the challenging role of reconciling the differences over the plan. Hamas, distrustful of both Israel and the US, seeks international support and assurances from the UN Security Council to ensure full compliance with the plan. The US , which has supported Israel throughout the eight-month-long Gaza assault, has blamed Hamas for being the only hurdle to the plan. This accusation by the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, as he set off for the region, has eroded faith in the ceasefire initiative, particularly as Israel has not endorsed it.
Hamas is aware that if Israel decides not to comply with its commitments under the existing plan, only the United States can exercise any influence. However, the faith Hamas has in the US is nil. This is because ever since Israel commenced its assault on Gaza in the previous October, the Biden administration has rejected three security council ceasefire motions. Moreover, they have not only supplied Israel with the hardware necessary for the war, but also ensured it’s political safeguarding.
Being recognised as a nationalist movement instead of an entity associated with terrorism has been Hamas’ goal for a long time. The label of a terrorist organisation was assigned to Hamas in 1997 by the US and its partners and was still in place post-2017, even after Hamas subscribed to the two-state resolution that would result in the formation of a Palestinian state.