DOHA. The changes requested by Hamas to a U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire are “not significant” and include the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, a senior Hamas leader told Reuters on Thursday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Wednesday that Hamas had suggested numerous changes to the U.S.-backed proposal, some of which were deemed unworkable, but emphasized that mediators were committed to bridging the differences. While the U.S. has indicated that Israel has accepted its proposal, Israel has not made a public confirmation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that Israel will not cease its campaign until Hamas is eliminated.
The senior Hamas leader revealed that the group had demanded the release of 100 Palestinians serving long sentences in Israeli jails. The Israeli proposal excluded these prisoners and limited releases to those with less than 15 years remaining on their sentences. “There are no significant amendments that, according to Hamas leadership, warrant objection,” said the Hamas leader.
Hamas’s demands also include the reconstruction of Gaza, lifting the blockade, opening border crossings, allowing the movement of people, and transporting goods without restrictions, according to the senior leader.
Negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been working for months to mediate a ceasefire in the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread devastation in the densely populated enclave. They are also seeking the release of hostages, with over 100 believed to remain captive in Gaza.
Global powers are intensifying efforts to de-escalate the conflict to prevent it from expanding into a broader Middle East war, with rising tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border being a major flashpoint.
The current conflict in Gaza began on October 7 when militants led by Hamas crossed the border, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Israel’s subsequent air and ground offensive has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and severely damaged housing and infrastructure, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
