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Israeli government rejects 'unacceptable' Hamas terms for ceasefire

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
6 Jul 2025 07:02
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"Israel" sends a delegation to Qatar for ceasefire talks despite rejecting Hamas's proposed amendments.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial where he faces corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on December 16, 2024. (AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday that a negotiating team will travel to Doha for intensified Gaza ceasefire discussions.

The move comes in response to an invitation from Qatari mediators, with Netanyahu reportedly instructing the team to engage in “close talks” on the latest truce proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war.

In its statement, however, the Israeli government rejected revisions put forward by Hamas to the proposed agreement, calling them “unacceptable,” without offering further details.

Despite this, the decision to dispatch negotiators to the Qatari capital suggests growing pressure—particularly from the United States—to reach an agreement before Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

Trump welcomes Hamas' 'positive spirit'

Earlier, US President Donald Trump welcomed what he described as a “positive spirit” in Hamas’ response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire deal, suggesting that a breakthrough could be imminent.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump said, “It’s good that Hamas said it had responded in a positive spirit.” He noted that a deal could be reached “by next week,” though he admitted he had not yet been briefed on the current state of negotiations.

The comments come as Hamas formally submitted its reply to a recently updated ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Palestinian officials described the response as “constructive” and indicated it could help pave the way toward a final agreement to end the war on Gaza.

The proposal is reportedly rooted in the Witkoff Plan and calls for a 60-day truce, phased Israeli military withdrawals, the exchange of captives and bodies, and extended negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement.