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Hamas has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming ceasefire talks, instead urging the US, Egypt, and Qatar to present a concrete plan to implement the ceasefire proposal from last month.
What Hamas is saying & demanding: Hamas is calling on the US, Egypt, and Qatar to present a concrete plan for implementing last month’s ceasefire proposal instead of engaging in further talks. Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha claimed that Israel was preventing a ceasefire agreement from going into place, saying, “the one obstructing the success of the last proposal is the Israeli occupation.” He added, “closing the remaining gaps in the ceasefire agreement comes through exerting real pressure on the Israeli side, which was, and still is, practising a policy of placing obstacles in the way of the success of any efforts and endeavours leading to ending the aggression.”
What Israel is saying & demanding: Israel has agreed to send negotiators to the new round of ceasefire talks proposed by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. Israel’s demands for the ceasefire include strict measures to dismantle Hamas completely, along with solid guarantees for the release of Israeli hostages held by the group. Israeli leaders have emphasized that any ceasefire must protect their security, prevent Hamas from rearming or regrouping, and include provisions for the demilitarization of Hamas and other militant factions. They have also stated that the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza would only be considered if the conditions ensure the end of hostilities and the safety of Israeli civilians.
What was the ceasefire proposal last month?: Last month’s ceasefire proposal laid out a detailed plan to temporarily halt hostilities, exchange the most vulnerable hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from heavily populated areas in Gaza. This plan aimed to provide immediate humanitarian relief and set the groundwork for longer-term negotiations. It also called for international oversight to ensure both sides adhered to the agreement.
Demands from world leaders for the war to end: Various world leaders have now renewed calls for both Israel and Hamas to reach a deal. Earlier today, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were reiterating their “demand for a ceasefire that would allow the entry of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages, which would help prevent an escalation of regional violence and facilitate progress in the implementation of the two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living in peace and security.” British Foreign Minister David Lammy said, “We need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions on aid.”
