Israel rejected a revised proposal presented by the Palestinian militant group Hamas regarding a ceasefire plan led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the 6th (local time), the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated, "The changes attempted by Hamas were conveyed to us overnight, and Israel cannot accept them." However, it confirmed that reports of a negotiation delegation being dispatched to Qatar on the same day are true.
According to sources involved in mediating the ceasefire proposal, Hamas's revisions include three key demands: ▲ Continued negotiations for a permanent ceasefire until an agreement is reached ▲ Resuming full import of humanitarian aid through support from the United Nations and international relief organizations ▲ Transferring Israeli forces back to their positions prior to the negotiation breakdown in March.
Hamas noted the previous day that it had "delivered a positive response" to the new ceasefire proposal led by President Trump.
The proposal is centered on suspending hostilities for 60 days, with Hamas returning 10 surviving hostages and 18 deceased bodies to Israel, in exchange for Israel releasing some Palestinian detainees.
CNN reported, "The content of the ceasefire proposal is not significantly different from the previous negotiation plan, but it includes two key concessions regarding Hamas's demands." Specifically, the release of hostages has changed from a full release to a gradual release, and it is included that the ceasefire will be maintained after the 60-day ceasefire period unless a comprehensive peace agreement is reached.
Israel and Hamas are expected to enter direct negotiations in Qatar soon. However, it remains uncertain whether they can reach an agreement to end the war. Both sides have previously come close to an agreement but failed to finalize it due to detailed disagreements.
Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Israel's top priority is the removal of Hamas's military and governance capabilities, so even if a ceasefire is achieved, significant difficulties are expected during the peace negotiation process.
In the meantime, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued airstrikes on the Gaza Strip even on the 5th, ahead of the negotiation delegation's dispatch. The Guardian reported, citing local medical officials, that at least 24 Palestinians died on that day.
The airstrikes were concentrated in refugee tent camps in the southern Mawasi coastal area, Khan Younis, and Bani Suheila, and according to medical staff, among the deceased were a doctor and his three children, along with civilians who were moving to a humanitarian aid distribution point.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on the 7th. The Guardian noted that "the proposed draft agreement includes a clause for Trump to directly announce the ceasefire," suggesting the possibility of a ceasefire agreement coinciding with Netanyahu's visit to the U.S.
This war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7 last year, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251. Currently, about 50 hostages remain, and more than half of them are reported to have died. In retaliation, Israel launched counterattacks, resulting in at least 57,000 deaths in the Gaza Strip to date. The United Nations and international organizations report that most of the deceased are civilians, particularly minors.