Hamas expresses readiness for discussions on truce proposal
In the midst of ongoing hostilities, Hamas, the Palestinian political and militant group, has put forward specific demands for a ceasefire in Gaza. The new de facto leader of Hamas, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, has called for a resumption of UN control over humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza and the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to their pre-March 2025 boundaries.
The proposed 60-day ceasefire would see Hamas and Israel engage in indirect negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict. The ceasefire proposal also includes hostage-for-prisoner swaps and the handover of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others during the 60-day ceasefire.
However, Israel has rejected Hamas' demands regarding the withdrawal of IDF and the management of humanitarian aid by the UN. Hamas has responded positively to the proposal but has three reservations it wishes to discuss further in indirect talks with Israel and the United States, mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
President Donald Trump has stated that Israel has agreed to the conditions for a temporary truce. The White House's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has advanced a new proposal for a 60-day cessation of hostilities in Gaza. The proposal calls for the handover of hostages and the remains of prisoners during the ceasefire, but the details of Israel's troop withdrawal are not immediately clear.
The current conflict in Gaza has displaced nearly all of the 2 million Palestinian residents at least once during the war, and hunger is widespread among the population. The proposal aims to allow reconstruction in the enclave and lift restrictions on the entry and exit of goods.
Al-Haddad, who is believed to strongly oppose efforts to dislodge Hamas from power, has stated that the leadership of Israel, supported by the United States and the West, will have to submit to Hamas's just demands. The primary obstacle to reaching a deal between Hamas and Israel is the permanence of any ceasefire.
While the truce talks were stalled, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had been pushing Trump to target Iranian nuclear sites. However, since the 12-day campaign against Iran ended last month, Netanyahu's popularity appears to have risen at home, possibly making him less reliant on the support of his far-right ministers.
The United States and the Arab mediators, Qatar and Egypt, will ensure that serious negotiations to end the war in Gaza will take place during the truce. It remains to be seen whether these negotiations will lead to a lasting peace in the region.
The ceasefire proposal involves Hamas and Israel discussing permanent conflict resolutions, with negotiations centered on hostage-for-prisoner swaps and the handover of remains during the 60-day ceasefire. However, the specific details of Israel's troop withdrawal are yet unclear.
Despite Israel's rejection of certain demands, such as the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and UN control over humanitarian aid, Al-Haddad maintains that Israel must submit to Hamas' just demands for a lasting peace.
