Hamas’s revised ceasefire response could revive negotiations, Israel says

Hamas has revised its previously rejected ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal. According to Israeli officials, Hamas’s new ceasefire response is “workable.”

Hamas announced that it has submitted its response to the proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza. Israeli sources said there was a “significant improvement” compared to the previous response and that this response “could form a basis for negotiations.”

In a statement on Telegram, Hamas said, “We have conveyed our own ceasefire response and the joint response of Palestinian groups to the mediators.” Israeli officials confirmed they had received Hamas’s response and that a detailed review process is ongoing.

Following this development, it was announced that Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will meet with US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and a senior Qatari official on the Italian island of Sardinia. The talks are expected to be shaped by the new proposal submitted by Hamas.

An Israeli source speaking to The Times of Israel said that Hamas’s latest response is “workable.”

Previous response was rejected

Hamas’s previous response was rejected directly by mediating countries before it was even presented to Israel. The mediators requested that Hamas “return with a more reasonable proposal.” Consequently, Hamas submitted a new response that Israel believes could form a basis for talks.

According to sources close to the matter, Hamas’s new ceasefire response has the potential to restart negotiations.

Points of contention: Withdrawal and permanent ceasefire

Two main issues were problematic in Hamas’s previous proposal. The first is the map and depth of Israel’s withdrawal. Hamas demands a complete withdrawal from most of the areas Israel took control of in the attacks it resumed in March. This demand is parallel to the temporary ceasefire proposal from January but is significantly different from Israel’s current offer.

The second issue is the mechanism for releasing Palestinian prisoners and a guarantee of a permanent end to the war. Hamas feels distrust, particularly because promises made by the US were not reflected in writing in the agreement. The US promise to make a 60-day ceasefire permanent was conveyed verbally, and no explicit commitment was included in the text of the agreement.

High-profile prisoners and internal disputes

In case the agreement is not permanent, some factions within Hamas argue that this process is the “last chance” and are therefore insisting on the release of certain symbolic figures held in Israel. The promise by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to rescue these individuals was cited as one of the justifications for the October 7 attacks.

Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, who is leading the negotiations, stated in private conversations that he is “less optimistic today than yesterday.” However, he emphasized that the process is very dynamic and that developments could change completely within a few hours.