New ceasefire proposal includes retreat in Israeli position: Exclusive

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
30 Apr 2024 21:19
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A well-informed Palestinian source tells Al Mayadeen that Hamas' adherence to its demands forced "Israel" to draw back on matters concerning the ceasefire.

Israeli occupation soldiers seen near the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 (AP)

The document presented to the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas over a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza included positive points and a retreat in the Israeli position, a well-informed Palestinian source told Al Mayadeen on Tuesday.

The source said that Hamas still needs to verify key issues, especially regarding the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Gaza Strip.

In addition, the are still contentious points concerning the prisoners' file, which requires more time to reach an agreement, particularly regarding their numbers and categories.

According to the source, Hamas' adherence to its previous demands forced the Israeli occupation to draw back on matters concerning the ceasefire, the withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of forcibly displaced people to their homes.

The source told Al Mayadeen that the movement is still studying the new proposal after the return of its delegation from the Egyptian capital Cairo and is engaged in intense consultations, adding that Hamas is maintaining constant communication with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

It can be said that the negotiations' atmosphere is better than before, and there is a retreat in the Israeli stance regarding the withdrawal from Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians, the source concluded.

'Israel' claims open to talks on Gaza calm post-captive release: Axios

A new Israeli proposal for a potential captive deal with Hamas involves a "willingness" to discuss the "restoration of sustainable calm" in the Gaza Strip following an initial release of captives on humanitarian grounds, Axios reported two days ago, citing Israeli officials.

According to Axios, this marks the first instance since October 7 that Israeli leaders have signaled their willingness to discuss ending the aggression on Gaza as part of negotiations for a captives deal. Hamas has consistently made ending the war a focal point of its proposals in recent months during these negotiations.

After the talks concluded, Israeli officials indicated that the Egyptians presented a new proposal to Hamas indicating "Israel's willingness to make further significant concessions," the news website mentioned.

Axios cited the Israeli officials as saying the new proposal was developed collaboratively by the Egyptian intelligence delegation and the Israeli negotiation team, considering the positions articulated by Hamas thus far and the potential terms both "Israel" and Egypt believe the Palestinian Resistance group might accept in a deal.

The Israeli officials claimed the new proposal addresses many of Hamas' demands, "such as a willingness for full return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in northern Gaza" and the withdrawal of IOF presence from the corridor dividing the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, the proposal includes "a willingness to discuss the establishment of a sustainable ceasefire" as part of the second phase of the agreement, following the humanitarian release of captives held by Hamas, according to Axios.

Egypt 'hopeful' about new Gaza ceasefire proposal: Foreign Minister

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry earlier said he was "hopeful" about a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza as a Hamas delegation was due in the Egyptian capital Cairo for talks on Monday.

"There is a proposal on the table [and it's] up to the two sides to consider and accept," Shoukry said in Riyadh at the World Economic Forum.

"We are hopeful," he added, explaining that "the proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides and has tried to extract moderation."

"We are waiting to have a final decision. There are factors that will have an impact on both sides' decisions, but I hope that all will rise to the occasion," the top Egyptian diplomat pointed out.

His Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan later said a new deal would "be very, very positive... But it's absolutely necessary that any ceasefire be permanent, not temporary."

Egypt and Qatar have been engaged in mediation for a ceasefire agreement between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Resistance group Hamas for months.

Hamas announced that its negotiating delegation in Cairo is heading back home for consultations regarding the new ceasefire proposal presented by the mediators. The movement sent a letter to the remainder of the Palestinian Resistance factions regarding the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in the Egyptian capital.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed Monday in Riyadh that the Israeli occupation has given the Palestinian Resistance a "very generous" offer to release the Israeli captives, which could potentially lead to a ceasefire in Gaza.

But Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) politburo member Ihsan Ataya told Al Mayadeen on Monday that the presented proposal is not as generous as the Americans, who are trying to deceive the world, are claiming.

"The proposed offer has major loopholes and malicious plots," Ataya stressed, noting that "the proposal presented is three and a half pages long and talks about details in three stages."