Hamas Delays Response to Latest Ceasefire Proposal

By Yoni Weiss

Hamas has yet again postponed its response to the latest ceasefire proposal, with expectations for a final decision as early as Sunday. Mediators, including CIA Chief William Burns, are gathered in Cairo awaiting Hamas’s reply, which has been delayed over the weekend.

Israel has refrained from sending a delegation to Egypt until a response is received. However, officials in Israel anticipate hearing from Hamas soon, preparing for a potential meeting of the War Cabinet on Sunday evening. If Hamas agrees to the proposal in principle, an Israeli team will travel to Cairo to negotiate the specifics of the deal. Approval from the Israeli Cabinet would be necessary before signing any agreement.

The likelihood of reaching a resolution remains uncertain. A senior Arab official expressed cautious optimism about a breakthrough, describing the current proposal as the most promising since negotiations began. However, he warned that either party could backtrack on the agreement. He attributed this uncertainty to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders, suggesting that personal considerations could hinder progress.

A senior Hamas source conveyed the organization’s interest in a ceasefire but emphasized that it would not agree to terms “at any cost.” Hamas has sought clarification from Egyptian mediators on the proposal, insisting on a complete end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. Israel, however, remains adamant about not ending the war and is preparing for a final ground operation. Hamas is reportedly ready to confront Israeli forces in Gaza’s southern city.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, senior Hamas political official Hossam Badran stated that while the delegation approached negotiations positively, there was no pressure to accept the current deal. He dismissed reports suggesting that the United States had demanded Qatar expel Hamas officials residing in the country if the group rejected the deal.

Against this backdrop, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum urged the Prime Minister to prioritize the return of 132 abductees, stressing its importance for the nation’s restoration. Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich echoed these sentiments, advocating for a ground incursion into Rafah to achieve a “total victory.”

Ending hostilities in Gaza could also impact the situation on Israel’s northern border. Senior Biden administration officials expressed optimism that a ceasefire agreement would facilitate de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.