After regional and international mediators (Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S.) received Hamas's response to the ceasefire proposal for Gaza presented over a week ago by U.S. President Joe Biden, the movement confirmed that its response is characterized by responsibility, seriousness, and positivity. Ihzat al-Rashiq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, stated on Wednesday that the movement's reply to the proposed ceasefire agreement "broadly opens the way for reaching an agreement." He emphasized that the response is marked by "responsibility, seriousness, and positivity." Another official from the movement reiterated Hamas's position that a ceasefire should lead to a permanent halt of hostilities in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. He considered that "the gaps are not significant, and the ball is now in the Israeli court," according to Reuters.
So, what did this response include? According to sources from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath, the movement conditioned the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Israel insists on withdrawing only from populated areas. Hamas also demanded a permanent ceasefire, while Israel spoke about a conditional or time-limited truce. Furthermore, Hamas insisted on the unconditional return of all displaced persons, whereas Israel requested the return of only children, women, and men over the age of fifty.
Additionally, Hamas proposed releasing 33 Israeli prisoners under 18, along with women and female soldiers, and stated that if the number is not met, it will be supplemented with bodies, a proposal the Israeli side previously rejected but later accepted. A joint delegation from Hamas and Islamic Jihad submitted the factions' response on Tuesday evening to the mediators in Qatar during a meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with Cairo being informed of its details, according to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath's reporter. Both a Qatari and Egyptian statement, along with the United States, confirmed that the Palestinian factions had indeed submitted their response and comments on the proposal.
