Hamas has delivered a revised response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire agreement, introducing new demands that threaten to derail delicate negotiations with Israel aimed at securing the release of remaining hostages.
Revised Proposal Complicates Delicate Negotiations
The militant group submitted its updated position to Qatari mediators on Tuesday, marking a significant development in talks that have repeatedly stalled since the conflict began. According to sources close to the discussions, Hamas has altered several key aspects of the US-backed proposal initially accepted by Israel.
An Israeli official familiar with the matter described the revised document as containing amendments that Israel finds unacceptable, though specific details of the changes remain confidential. The development comes after weeks of intense diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between the warring parties.
Hostage Families Await Breakthrough Amid Growing Desperation
At the heart of the negotiations are approximately 120 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, with many families growing increasingly desperate for their loved ones' safe return. The proposed agreement would see a phased release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a temporary cessation of hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from both international allies and domestic political partners to secure the hostages' freedom while maintaining his stated goal of dismantling Hamas's military capabilities.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Fighting Continues
The diplomatic manoeuvring occurs against a backdrop of continued violence and a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Recent days have seen intense fighting in Gaza City's Shujayea neighbourhood and other areas, with Palestinian health officials reporting numerous casualties.
United Nations agencies continue to warn of catastrophic living conditions across the territory, where most of the 2.3 million population has been displaced and faces severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
International Mediators Race Against Time
Qatari and Egyptian mediators are working urgently to reconcile the differences between the two sides, with US officials providing additional diplomatic support. The international community views a ceasefire as essential not only for hostage release but for addressing the escalating humanitarian emergency.
As positions harden on both sides, the path to agreement appears increasingly challenging, with neither party showing immediate willingness to make the concessions necessary for a breakthrough.
