After Hamas requested amendments to the U.S. proposal regarding the cessation of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the movement commented on the matter again. Hamas deemed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's stance, which blamed it for obstructing an agreement, as mere American collusion with Israel. This was in reference to Blinken's statement that Hamas should have accepted the proposal as it stands, emphasizing that if the movement insisted on rejection, it would be clear that it chose war.
In a statement on Thursday, the movement expressed that it had engaged positively with the proposal for a comprehensive agreement. It added that it had acted responsibly regarding the proposals for reaching a ceasefire and exchanges. Hamas urged the U.S. administration to pressure the Israeli government to accept an agreement that would lead to a permanent ceasefire in the region.
Hamas pointed out that while U.S. officials claim Israel has accepted President Joe Biden's proposal from May 31, "the world has heard no welcome or approval from Netanyahu and his government." This came after new information revealed details about the amendments Hamas requested, as reported by "Al-Majalla" magazine.
Hamas insisted on "lifting the blockade" on Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Route in the first stage before complete withdrawal and temporary, then permanent, ceasefire in the second stage. It also stipulated a role for UNRWA and the United Nations, and the inclusion of China, Russia, and Turkey alongside the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt as "guarantors" of the agreement, while agreeing to a reconstruction plan for Gaza over 3-5 years.
Additionally, Hamas requested written guarantees for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip to agree to the proposal, which includes three stages, each lasting 42 days, with the ceasefire continuing during the transition from the first to the second stage. Thus, the amendments explicitly stated that the framework agreement consists of three "connected and interrelated" stages.
The amendments included a return to the May 6 document in some matters and added new elements due to field developments. Here are the main amendments:
1. In the first stage, lasting 42 days as previously stated, which includes a temporary cessation of military operations by both sides and the withdrawal of Israeli forces east and away from densely populated areas along the border in all areas of the Gaza Strip, the phrase "including the Philadelphi Route," as well as the Gaza Valley, the Nitsareem Route, and Kuwait Roundabout, was added.
2. In addition to adhering to the cessation of military and reconnaissance flights for 10 hours daily and 12 hours during the exchange process, and the return of displaced persons to their residences, the phrase "withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route" was added.
Blinken commented that Hamas had proposed changes to Biden's proposal, some of which were actionable, noting that some of the movement's demands regarding the proposed deal were not feasible. He reiterated that Hamas should have accepted the proposal as is, and if the movement chose to reject it, it would be clear that it opted for war.
This comes as mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States continue to push towards reaching an agreement between Israel and Hamas to halt gunfire in the Gaza Strip following the movement's response yesterday.
