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Hamas is reportedly pushing for substantial changes to the proposed ceasefire deal with Israel. The terror group’s amendments seek to fundamentally alter the phasing and terms of the agreement, potentially complicating efforts to bring an end to the hostilities that began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel.
Key points of Hamas’s proposed amendments include:
1. Immediate Israeli Withdrawal: Hamas is demanding that a full Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip be moved to the initial stages of the ceasefire implementation. This contrasts with the original proposal, which envisioned a phased withdrawal negotiated during an initial six-week truce.
2. Clear End to War: The terror group is insisting that the deal explicitly mark the end of the war, rather than a temporary pause in hostilities.
3. International Guarantors: Hamas wants Russia, China, and Turkey to act as guarantors that Israel will cease fighting, introducing a new international dimension to the agreement.
These amendments come in response to a plan strongly pushed by the Biden administration last month, which it described as an Israeli proposal. Hamas took 12 days to respond, announcing that it wanted to make amendments.
The United States has already expressed scepticism about Hamas’s changes, with Washington describing them as not workable. US officials have publicly questioned whether Hamas is genuinely seeking to end the war it initiated with its October 7 attack.
According to sources familiar with the matter, a primary stumbling block in the negotiations is Hamas’s demand for an upfront Israeli guarantee of a permanent ceasefire. This request goes beyond the scope of the initial proposal, which focused on a phased approach to de-escalation.
The proposed amendments by Hamas represent a significant departure from the original ceasefire framework and could potentially prolong the conflict. As negotiations continue, the international community remains focused on finding a path to end the violence and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides likely to continue diplomatic efforts to find common ground. However, the stark differences in the positions of Hamas and Israel suggest that reaching a mutually acceptable agreement may prove challenging in the near term.