”Hamas has just submitted its and the Palestinian factions' response to the proposal for a ceasefire to the mediators”, Hamas writes in a statement during the night towards Thursday.
A Palestinian source tells the Israeli newspaper Haaretz that the response was given ”in good spirit”, but emphasized that Hamas has objections regarding the Israeli military's presence in the Gaza Strip during a potential ceasefire.
The response contains proposals for amendments to the agreement related to the import of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel's withdrawal of forces and guarantees to secure a lasting end to the war, writes AFP.
The proposal essentially concerns a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of some of the remaining hostages.
Of the 251 people taken hostage during Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, 49 are still in Gaza. 27 of them are feared to be dead, according to the Israeli military.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to discuss Hamas' response with Israeli representatives in Rome on Thursday.
Witkoff has previously stated that he is traveling to Rome with ”great hope for an agreement on a new ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor for the influx of humanitarian aid”.
Negotiators from Hamas and Israel have held indirect talks via mediators in Doha, Qatar, over the past two weeks.
