Israeli media reported that the U.S., in collaboration with mediators in Egypt and Qatar, is trying to bridge the gaps between Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and conclude a prisoner exchange deal. Sources indicated that Washington is seeking to resolve the dispute over Article 8 of the draft agreement, which involves transitioning from the first phase of the deal to the second. Additionally, Egyptian General Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel made a phone call to Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniya, during which they discussed the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, and Kamel extended his condolences to Haniya for the death of his older sister and her family in Gaza.
In this context, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan stated that no progress has been made so far in negotiations with Israel, affirming the movement's readiness to engage positively with any formula that guarantees a permanent ceasefire. On Saturday in Beirut, he mentioned that the last proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza was received on June 24, reiterating the movement's position of demanding a "complete cessation of aggression" as part of negotiations related to a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the sector.
U.S. President Joe Biden presented a three-stage Israeli proposal in late May aimed at ending the conflict, releasing hostages, and reconstructing the Gaza Strip without any presence of Hamas in power. However, this proposal, which was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, has not led to results so far. Axios reported on Friday, citing "three sources directly familiar with the matter," that "the Biden administration has recently put forward a new wording for some parts of the proposed deal regarding hostages and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in a bid to bridge the gaps between them and reach an agreement."
Hamdan emphasized during a press conference from Beirut that the "last proposal delivered was on June 24, and this proposal still does not achieve a complete cessation of aggression or a full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip." He added, "We have stated clearly, and this remains our position: without achieving that, all that is presented is a waste of time and an extension of time for the occupation to commit genocide against our people and an attempt by the U.S. administration to save itself." Hamdan continued, "There is no real new development in the ceasefire negotiations so far."
He believed that "what is conveyed from the U.S. administration comes in the context of exerting various pressures on the movement to accept the Israeli paper as it is without amendments." Hamdan reaffirmed that "we in Hamas are ready to positively engage with any formula that primarily and directly guarantees a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a genuine prisoner exchange deal."
The Wall Street Journal revealed plans regarding the future of Gaza after the war, currently being discussed among informal groups comprising retired Israeli military and intelligence officers. Axios reported that U.S. officials have drafted new language for Article 8, which relates to negotiations expected to begin between Israel and Hamas during the implementation of the first phase of the deal. The aim is to "bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas, as (the Americans) are pressuring Qatar and Egypt to urge Hamas to accept the new proposal."