Israel and Hamas at an Impasse over Third-Party Mediation Proposal... "Negotiations Continue"

Hamas Accepts Egypt Ceasefire Proposal
Israel Rejects It

The Palestinian armed faction Hamas has agreed to accept the ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip put forward by Egypt, while Israel stated that it cannot accept this and decided to continue operations in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, which is Hamas's last stronghold. However, they have decided to send a negotiation delegation to the mediators to seek a ceasefire plan that meets their demands.

According to foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 6th (local time), Hamas announced its intention to accept the mediation proposal from Egypt and Qatar just one day after the Gaza ceasefire talks reached a deadlock.

The ceasefire plan accepted by Hamas is reported to include a ceasefire, reconstruction, the return of refugees to their homes, and the exchange of hostages and detainees. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's deputy leader in Gaza, explained to Al Jazeera that the ceasefire would proceed in three stages, each lasting 42 days. During the first stage of the ceasefire, Israeli civilians would be released; in the second stage, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza would take place; and in the final third stage, an exchange of prisoners between Israel and Palestine would be carried out.

A senior Hamas official who requested anonymity said, "But the ceasefire has not yet been finalized," adding, "Since Hamas has accepted the mediator's ceasefire proposal, the ball is now in the court of the Israeli occupying forces."

Hamas's announcement of accepting the ceasefire proposal came as the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for civilians in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, in preparation for an attack. Earlier, on the 5th, Hamas launched a rocket attack on the Kerem Shalom crossing at the southern border of Gaza with Israel, resulting in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers, after which Israel had already announced it would proceed with the Rafah attack.

Israel stated, "We cannot agree to the negotiations that Hamas claims to have agreed to," and announced the decision to continue operations in Rafah. In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on the same day, it was reported that "the wartime cabinet unanimously decided to continue the Rafah attack to apply military pressure on Hamas to achieve war objectives, including the release of hostages."

An anonymous Israeli government source said, "This (Egypt-Qatar) proposal contains broad conclusions that Israel does not agree with," drawing a clear line. The source also criticized, "Hamas's announcement today seems to be a ploy to make it appear as if Israel is rejecting the ceasefire." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained his position that he cannot accept Hamas's demands for a ceasefire and troop withdrawal.

However, both Israel and Hamas announced that they will form negotiation teams and plan to go to Cairo, Egypt, on the 7th.

The United States showed a cautious response, stating that it is reviewing Hamas's reply. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said, "We have received Hamas's response to the latest ceasefire proposal and are reviewing it with other mediators, Egypt and Qatar."

The international community urged the Israeli government and Hamas leadership to reach a ceasefire agreement and make additional efforts necessary to stop the ongoing suffering. Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said on the same day, "(Many of the people in Rafah) are in a desperate humanitarian situation and have been displaced multiple times," emphasizing that "the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law is paramount above all else."