Israeli officials revealed on Wednesday that negotiations in Egypt concerning a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict have seen Israel willing to make concessions regarding the return of Palestinians to the northern part of the enclave. However, doubts linger about Hamas’s willingness to reach an agreement.
According to two officials familiar with the talks, a proposed truce framework presented by the United States entails Israel allowing the return of 150,000 Palestinians to northern Gaza without the imposition of security checks.
In return, Hamas would be required to furnish a list of female, elderly, and sick hostages still being held alive.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office refrained from providing comment, Hamas stated on Tuesday that the latest proposal conveyed by Egyptian and Qatari mediators did not meet its demands. Hamas indicated it would examine the proposal further before delivering a response.
The prevailing sentiment among Israeli officials is one of skepticism toward Hamas’s commitment to striking a deal.
Hamas has reportedly voiced demands for an end to the Israeli military offensive, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home, particularly in the wake of a seven-month-long conflict.
Israel’s immediate objective is securing the release of hostages seized by Hamas during its cross-border incursion on October 7.
Israel insists that it will not halt its military operations until Hamas no longer exerts control over Gaza or poses a military threat to Israel.
Despite Israel’s partial withdrawal of ground forces from southern Gaza earlier in the week, plans for an assault on Rafah, situated on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, remain on the table.
Netanyahu has pledged the evacuation of civilians from Rafah before launching an offensive against Hamas remnants there, yet international concerns persist.
