Hamas Submits Response to Israeli Ceasefire Proposal with Amendments

Hamas has submitted its official response to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, following more than two weeks of indirect negotiations in Qatar that have yet to produce an agreement.

In a statement shared on Telegram, it said: “Hamas has just submitted its response and that of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal to the mediators.”

A Palestinian source involved in the talks in Doha said the response included suggested changes to several elements of the proposal — including the delivery of humanitarian aid, maps showing areas from which Israeli forces would withdraw, and guarantees for a permanent end to the conflict.

The negotiations, held indirectly in Doha with the help of mediators, aim to secure a truce and the release of Israeli hostages. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas’s 2023 attack, 49 are still believed to be held in Gaza. According to the Israeli military, 27 of them are presumed dead.

The talks have made little progress, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse. Israel insists on the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing systems as a condition for any deal. Hamas, in turn, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the unfettered delivery of aid, and solid commitments to a lasting ceasefire.

Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said Wednesday: “Israel has agreed to the Qatari proposal and the updated (US special envoy Steve) Witkoff proposal, it is Hamas that is refusing.” He added that Israel’s negotiating team remains in Doha and discussions are still underway.

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