Hamas appears to propose adjustments to the truce agreement.
Hamas has taken about two weeks to respond to the US proposal for a truce between Israel and Gaza. The specific terminology of their reply has not been made public yet. Insiders say that the Islamist group is not prepared to approve the plan as it stands now.
In a joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced their reaction to Israel's truce offer and demand for hostages' release from Gaza: "The wellbeing of our Palestinian people is our top priority, stressing the necessity of halting the current aggression against Gaza." They also expressed their readiness to negotiate to end the conflict. Prior to this, senior Hamas representatives had informed the mediators in the discussion about a ceasefire between Israel, Egypt, and Qatar that their reaction comprised "a comprehensive path" for a deal. According to Hamas Politburo member Ismail Haniyeh, this proposal involves "a number of components" for an agreement.
An anonymous source informed AFP that the Hamas' response to the Israeli plan includes "modifications." An Israeli representative told Reuters that the Hamas' reaction was a "rejection." This Hamas response goes against the Biden administration's proposal. The informant said, "They have altered all the vital and crucial elements."
The content of Hamas' letter is still not public, but the White House is currently examining it. John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, spoke to the media, saying, "We have obtained the reaction provided by Hamas, Egypt, and Qatar, and are reviewing it now."
In May, Joe Biden presented a scheme for an "immediate and thorough" truce between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas. This intricate plan involves the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the densely inhabited regions of Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages being held by the Hamas, along with Palestinian prisoners. Initially, this would be a six-week ceasefire, which could be extended as negotiations for a final resolution to the fighting continue.
US officials claim that the execution of this plan depends on Hamas's consent. However, the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has been reluctant to give a clear, public approval to it. The United Nations Security Council has endorsed this proposal and passed a resolution regarding it on Monday. For months now, the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been making efforts to negotiate a truce between Israel and the Hamas, but without success.
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The Biden administration's truce proposal for Israel and Hamas has encountered resistance from Hamas. According to a source, Hamas has proposed modifications to the plan, altering the crucial elements. The USA, along with Egypt and Qatar, is currently reviewing Hamas' response to determine its next steps. During this time, there has been no ceasefire in the Israel war, specifically in the Gaza Strip, despite the ongoing negotiations between the two parties.
