The Israeli Prime Minister expressed his rejection and indignation at the demands of the Palestinian extremist group. However, he assured that they will send a delegation to Qatar on Sunday to maintain the dialogue in search of a possible agreement.
New rejection from Israel
The government of the State of Israel assured that the changes made by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, and introduced in the latest counter-proposal for the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, are “unacceptable to Israel”.
The statements came in a statement released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. In it, the Israeli Prime Minister confirmed that the response with the “unacceptable” changes requested by Hamas arrived on Friday night and that, after a thorough evaluation, the negotiating team was instructed to continue negotiations.
These were the first formal statements by the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the current status of the negotiations, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced last Tuesday that the State of Israel had given the green light to a sixty-day cessation of hostilities agreement in the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, the diplomatic agenda surrounding the crisis in Gaza may take a turn in view of Netanyahu’s imminent visit to Washington, where the Israeli Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House.
Sources close to the organizers say that the meeting could coincide with the declaration of a cease-fire, if the negotiations in Qatar manage to overcome the last obstacles.
Hamas’ response
On Saturday afternoon, the extremist group Hamas issued a public statement, claiming that they gave a “positive” response to the mediators, expressing their readiness to enter into negotiations “immediately” for the implementation of the cease-fire.
According to Israeli media, which quoted internal Hamas sources, among the modifications demanded by the Palestinians is the elimination of the humanitarian aid distribution mechanism entrusted to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Palestinian side seeks to return the task of delivering supplies to the Gazan population to the exclusive responsibility of the United Nations (UN).
Peace from Qatar
In general terms, the main axes of contention that impede the progress of the peace negotiations are centered on the initiation and duration of the non-aggression pact, the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides, and the Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip.
The peace negotiation processes are being carried out with Qatar as the venue, and using the proposal presented by the White House Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. An initiative that has had the full support of Israel since it was presented, but which Hamas has constantly rejected, since it does not contemplate the total withdrawal of the Hebrew forces from the Palestinian enclave.
The current proposal calls for a 60-day cessation of hostilities, during which time half of the living Israeli hostages still held by Hamas would be released, as well as the delivery of at least 30 bodies of murdered hostages. In return, Israel will have to release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.
Negotiations are under the supervision of Qatari diplomacy, in collaboration with the United States and the UN, who are actively mediating to ensure an agreement that will at least reduce the intensity of hostilities and open a channel of dialogue to continue the negotiation of a political solution that will be extended over time.