Hamas has officially responded to a recent Gaza truce proposal after over two weeks of stalled negotiations in Doha, Qatar. The group confirmed on Thursday that it had submitted its reply to the 60-day ceasefire offer, which was proposed through mediators from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.
In a brief statement shared on Telegram, Hamas said it had delivered “its response and that of the Palestinian factions” to the mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later confirmed receiving the reply and stated it is “currently being evaluated.”
According to a Palestinian official involved in the discussions, Hamas has proposed several changes to the original Gaza truce proposal. These include amendments related to humanitarian aid delivery, Israeli military withdrawal maps, and long-term guarantees for ending the war.
The indirect talks aim to secure a temporary ceasefire that would also allow the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Out of the 251 people taken during Hamas’s 2023 attack, 49 are still unaccounted for. Israel believes 27 of them are already dead.
Despite continued efforts, the negotiations have failed to yield results, with both parties blaming each other for the lack of progress. Israel insists that any agreement must lead to the dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing power. In contrast, Hamas demands a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a firm commitment to a lasting ceasefire.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said on Wednesday that Hamas was “obstructing the talks.” He claimed Israel had agreed to both the original and updated proposals but said Hamas remained unwilling to compromise.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Europe this week for additional ceasefire talks and discussions on opening aid corridors. Over 100 humanitarian groups have warned that Gaza is facing “mass starvation” as conditions worsen.
The outcome of the Hamas truce proposal response remains uncertain, but international pressure to reach an agreement continues to grow.
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