A ceasefire proposal put forward by the Trump administration has been met with criticism by Hamas, who say the current terms would lead only to further killing and famine in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The plan, which the United States says Israel has already accepted, remains under review by the Hamas leadership, Al Jazeera reported.
Hamas officials say the proposal lacks the core guarantees Palestinians have long demanded: a permanent halt to Israeli military operations, full withdrawal of occupation forces and unfettered humanitarian access.
“The deal does not meet any of our people’s demands, foremost among them, halting the war,” said Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau. “Nonetheless, the movement’s leadership is studying the response with full national responsibility.”
A response is expected by the end of the week even as tensions prevail on the ground and within diplomatic channels.
A plan with conditions
According to a draft seen by Reuters, the ceasefire plan would span 60 days and include the release of 28 Israeli hostages, both alive and deceased, in exchange for 125 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 Palestinians. The terms have not been revealed publicly by officials from either side.
Mediated by Egypt and Qatar, and reportedly guaranteed by President Donald Trump, the plan would allow international aid to flow into Gaza as soon as Hamas signs the agreement.
However, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the proposal failed to include any Israeli commitment to end the war or lift the blockade, raising serious doubts about its sincerity.
“This is just another attempt to pressure the resistance while civilians in Gaza continue to suffer,” Zuhri told Reuters.
