A senior Hamas leader told Reuters on Thursday that the amendments requested by Hamas to the US ceasefire proposal are “not significant.” These amendments include the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged on Wednesday that Hamas proposed numerous changes, some deemed unworkable, but emphasized that mediators are committed to bridging the gaps. While the USclaims Israel has accepted its proposal, Israel has not publicly confirmed this. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that Israel will not end its campaign until Hamas is eliminated.
The Hamas leader specified that the group demanded the release of 100 Palestinians serving long sentences from Israeli jails. The current Israeli proposal excludes these prisoners, restricting releases to those with less than 15 years remaining.
“There are no significant amendments that, according to Hamas leadership, warrant objection,” said the Hamas leader. Hamas also demands the reconstruction of Gaza, lifting the blockade, opening border crossings, and unrestricted movement of people and goods.
Negotiators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been mediating a ceasefire for months to end the conflict, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and extensive damage to Gaza. They also aim to secure the release of over 100 hostages believed to be held in Gaza.
Efforts to defuse the conflict are intensifying to prevent it from escalating into a broader Middle East war, especially given the increasing hostilities along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas militants crossed the border, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent air and ground offensive has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and severely damaged housing and infrastructure.
