Hamas has responded to a U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement that would temporarily halt fighting between the militant group and Israel in Gaza, though a senior Hamas official told The Associated Press they want some amendments made. This comes after Israel agreed to the deal on Thursday, May 29.
“There [are] some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the U.S. guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” an official with Hamas, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the AP on Saturday, May 31.
Specifically, Hamas wants to see an end to the war and said it will release the remaining Israeli hostages over the course of the 60-day ceasefire, as opposed to on the first and seventh days, a provision outlined in the U.S. proposal. Israel has long maintained it will not end the war until Hamas is entirely dismantled and no longer has a governing stake in Gaza.
Also on Saturday night, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had killed Muhammad Sinwar, one of Hamas’ top military commanders in Gaza, according to the New York Times. IDF sources say it happened during airstrikes this month that targeted the vicinity of a hospital in southern Gaza. Hamas did not immediately respond to the claim of Sinwar’s death.
What does the US proposal entail?
As Straight Arrow News previously reported, the U.S. plan –– known as the Witkoff Proposal for U.S. Middle East envoy and lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff –– calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 more. In return, Israel would free over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of fatal attacks.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces would also withdraw to positions held during the previous March truce, and allow hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza each day to address the widespread hunger caused by its ongoing blockade.
Fundamental differences remain
In a statement reported by The Guardian, Hamas said its amendments to the proposal aim to “achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip.” The group added that it detailed its new demands following “a round of national consultations,” which included its counterparts in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israel has yet to comment on Hamas’ proposed changes. However, an Israeli official told reporters that the government views the amendments as an “effective rejection” of a peace agreement.
Both Israel and Hamas fear a resumption of hostilities after the ceasefire ends. Hamas wants guarantees that Israel will not take up arms in Gaza again, while Israel worries that if Hamas is not completely disarmed, it could rebuild its military and launch another strike similar to its surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which kicked off the current war.
Similarly, the two sides are at a loggerhead over humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza, which is currently experiencing famine-like conditions across its population of more than 2 million people. Earlier this month, Israel lifted a nearly three-month blockade that stemmed the flow of aid and food into the Palestinian territory. However, convoys entering the region have been stymied as desperate Palestinians raid warehouses and trucks before they can reach their final destinations. At the same time, the United Nations has opposed the U.S. and Israeli-backed organization tapped to distribute aid.
“We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties and rebuild the trust with communities that more food is coming,” the U.N. World Food Programme said in a statement, adding that it is prepared to bring enough food into the region to feed the population for two months.
The war began after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s military campaign has since killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, while famine conditions persist across many areas.
