Hamas official: Details of new US ceasefire proposal leaked

A person walks past images projected on a screen of hostages kidnapped during the deadly Hamas attack in Gaza on October 7, in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 31, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Marko Djurica

i24 News – A senior Hamas official revealed new details about the latest US proposal presented during ceasefire talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar, according to the Saudi Asharq News Channel on Sunday.

The proposal under discussion reportedly calls for a reduction in Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia Corridor, but not a withdrawal from it, and for the Palestinian Authority to resume management of the smuggling bottleneck in the southern Gaza Strip.

The nature of the cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli military is not yet clear, as Israel will continue to have a presence.

The senior source also stressed that the US proposal includes Israeli monitoring of the Netzarim Corridor and screening of Gazans returning to northern Gaza, although the nature of this monitoring has not yet been determined.

The senior Hamas official also told the Saudi broadcaster that the US had proposed that Israel oppose the release of at least 100 Palestinian prisoners and that there would be no complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, contradicting what Hamas reportedly agreed to in early July.

The channel also reported that the American proposal envisages further discussions on a permanent ceasefire within a certain framework. If Hamas does not comply with Israel's demands on this issue, the Israeli forces will resume fighting. The source further clarified that after the talks leading to the first phase of the agreement, negotiations will take place on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the lifting of the siege.

The Hamas source said that the US proposal aims to bridge the differences between the parties' positions and that it contradicts the July 2 proposal. He added that Hamas rejects these proposals; however, it is waiting for the final version of the agreement to be presented before announcing its final position.