Qatar’s prime minister pushed Hamas to “respond actively” to Hamas and “respond actively” to Hamas at a meeting in Doha, according to an official familiar with the conference.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim al Thani met with Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al Haya on Monday to discuss the deal.
Hamas confirmed late Sunday that it had received proposals from the US, including “some ideas” to reach a comprehensive ceasefire. Israel said it is seriously considering the proposal.
The plan calls for the release of all 48 hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, according to one Israeli official. In exchange, sources familiar with the proposal said Israel would release “thousands” of Palestinian prisoners.
Under the proposal, Israel and Hamas will begin immediate negotiations for the inclusive purpose of the war, and combat will not resume as long as consultations continue. US President Donald Trump guarantees that the ceasefire will be held as long as negotiations continue.
The coming days are considered important to advance the proposal.
In response to the news of the latest proposal on Sunday, the Hostages and Missing Family Forum issued a strong statement in support of the US efforts, calling it a “real breakthrough.”
“We have called on the Israeli government to declare clear support for the emerging agreement and to provide full support to President Trump until all hostages return home, collapsed for a life for rehabilitation and a dignified burial of our hometown,” the Forum said.
Netanyahu did not respond to the ceasefire proposal proposed by Qatar and Egypt, which Hamas had accepted. The proposal, which reflected one of Netanyahu’s people, had accepted just a month ago, but called for a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for 10 living hostages and 18 dead hostages. In exchange, Israel releases many Palestinian prisoners.
After Israel insisted that it would only accept partial deals that would allow Israel to continue the war, Netanyahu suddenly demanded a comprehensive deal that would meet his greatest demands.
Hamas sought a proposal that would bring an inclusive purpose to the war in exchange for the release of hostages.
Basem Naim, one of Hamas’ Politburo members, criticised the latest US initiative on Monday, amounting to an attempt to secure Hamas’ rejection rather than ending the war.
“What you need is ‘humiliating peace’ or the continuation of war,” Naim said in a post on his telegram page on Monday.
“The Hamas movement and the resistant facts are interested in reaching an agreement to end the war,” he said. “However, we will not sign a humiliating surrender document, and there is no emperor among Hamas leaders like Japan’s Hirohito,” Naim added.
CNN’s Tal Shalev, Ibrahim Dahman and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report.
