Israel plans to submit its own proposal Sunday to resolve the outstanding issues in the negotiations with the terrorist organization Hamas, after Hamas rejected a US-brokered proposal delivered Saturday. According to Arab sources familiar with the talks, Israel's proposal will include three key elements, with the primary one being the Israel Defense Forces' redeployment lines during the cease-fire.
The focal point of contention is the southern Gaza Strip, specifically the Morag Corridor and Rafah. The Israeli proposal outlines new lines of redeployment and a different timetable for IDF withdrawals, contingent on progress in negotiations over a permanent arrangement.
Hamas remains insistent on its opposition
Israel Hayom has learned that the Israeli paper addresses two additional matters: supply arrangements and oversight, specifically, the continued delivery of humanitarian aid under IDF supervision via Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) centers, and the list of terrorists to be released in exchange for the hostages.
Sources noted that by Wednesday of last week, it appeared that most issues were resolved. However, Hamas's renewed insistence on the withdrawal clause reignited disagreements over other points.
"The White House had been preparing to dispatch President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to finalize the remaining details and announce an agreement. But Hamas's rigid stance on the withdrawal clause, despite consensus among all other parties, halted the process. Israel in its part, through statements by ministers and senior officials, is not helping move things forward," one source commented.
An Israeli political official said that had Hamas accepted the Qatari proposal, a deal could have been reached to begin a 60-day negotiation period aimed at ending the war, in accordance with Israel's war objectives. Talks in Doha are ongoing and continued over the weekend, with the Israeli delegation working with Egyptian and Qatari mediators while maintaining constant contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
'Prioritizing political interests'
The Israeli team was dispatched to Doha based on the Qatari proposal, to which Israel had agreed. The delegation received the necessary mandate for the talks. Hamas rejected that proposal, created complications, refused to compromise, and has used the talks for psychological warfare, aimed at sabotaging the negotiations, misleading the Gaza population, and pressuring the Israeli public. While Israel has shown willingness to make concessions, Hamas remains entrenched in positions that prevent the mediators from advancing the deal.
Nevertheless, an Israeli official added, "Despite Hamas's intransigence, Israel will do everything possible to exhaust the negotiating process to secure the release of half of the living hostages."
Against the backdrop of reports on the stalled talks and a briefing by a "senior political source," families of the hostages stated: "Missing this current opportunity would be a serious failure. Every day the war continues is a victory for Hamas and a grave risk to our hostages and our soldiers."
The families also addressed Netanyahu directly: "According to reports, a year ago you said that 50 percent of the people who support a deal are not your voters. For your attention, today that figure is 75 percent. That's 75 percent of the public who will not forgive you for prioritizing political interests over the national, moral, and ethical interest. History will judge your choice: Our hostages and troops, or cheap political games."
