US Urges Hamas and Israel to Finalize Ceasefire Plan Amid New Proposals
Gaza Ceasefire Plan in Balance as US Says Hamas Proposes ‘Changes’
By Tom Bateman, BBC State Department Correspondent
David Gritten, BBC News
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Hamas has proposed “numerous changes” to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, putting the agreement in jeopardy. Speaking in Doha, Blinken noted that while some of Hamas’ suggested changes were “workable,” others were not, and that the US, alongside mediators Qatar and Egypt, would work to finalize the deal.
Hamas announced on Tuesday its readiness to engage positively with the process, emphasizing the need for Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire. However, Israel has yet to officially comment, with an anonymous Israeli official interpreting Hamas’ response as a rejection.
Blinken emphasized that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the ceasefire proposal, indicating that only Hamas’ acceptance was pending. Despite this, Netanyahu has not publicly endorsed the plan, which was initially outlined by US President Joe Biden 12 days ago.
The UN Security Council recently passed a resolution supporting the ceasefire proposal, amplifying the diplomatic pressure from the US. Blinken, during a press conference with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, discussed the proposed changes by Hamas.
“A deal was on the table that was virtually identical to a proposal that Hamas put forward on 6 May – a deal that the entire world is behind, that Israel has accepted, and Hamas could have answered with a single word: ‘yes’,” Blinken stated. “Instead, Hamas waited nearly two weeks and then proposed more changes, a number of which go beyond positions that it had previously taken and accepted.”
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Efforts to Bridge the Gaps
Despite the challenges, Blinken believes that the differences can be reconciled, though it ultimately depends on Hamas’ decisions. Sheikh Mohammed echoed the need for both parties to make concessions, highlighting a regional call to end the conflict.
Blinken stressed the importance of planning for the “day after the conflict” in Gaza, proposing ideas for governance, security, and reconstruction to ensure a lasting peace.
Hamas’ brief statement confirmed its official response to the ceasefire proposal but did not detail the requested changes. The group reiterated its demand for a complete halt to Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq described the response as “responsible, serious, and positive,” opening up pathways to an agreement.
An anonymous Israeli official countered, claiming that Hamas had altered significant parameters and rejected the hostage release proposal presented by President Biden. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza followed a deadly attack by Hamas on 7 October, resulting in significant casualties and hostages.
The proposed ceasefire plan includes three phases. The first phase entails a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas would release some hostages in exchange for Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners and withdrawing forces from populated Gaza areas. The second phase involves the release of remaining hostages and a permanent cessation of hostilities, pending further negotiations. The third phase would see the return of deceased hostages’ remains and the start of Gaza’s reconstruction.
Political Tensions and Uncertainty
The White House is pushing for progress on the agreement, yet Israel’s leadership remains skeptical. Far-right ministers have threatened to leave Netanyahu’s coalition if the US-backed proposal proceeds, viewing it as capitulation to Hamas. Netanyahu’s support for the plan remains ambiguous, although it has been authorized by his war cabinet. The specifics of Israel’s proposal, reportedly longer than Biden’s summary, have not been disclosed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the potential ceasefire agreement.
