Hamas says studying new ceasefire offers
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Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Saudi Gazette
Hamas responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal as Israel prepares for talks in Doha
JERUSALEM — Israel has received a formal response from Hamas regarding a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, with local media reporting late Friday that discussions on the proposal's details are now underway. According to Israel's Channel 12, an anonymous source confirmed that mediators conveyed Hamas' 'positive reaction' to the latest plan aimed at halting the war in the besieged Gaza Strip. The source added that an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Doha soon to begin negotiations on implementing the proposal, though no official date has been set. 'We have completed our internal consultations with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the mediators' latest proposal to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza,' Hamas said in an official statement. Citing diplomatic sources, Channel 12 reported that negotiations in the Qatari capital would likely last no more than a day and a half. Meanwhile, Egypt has launched renewed diplomatic efforts to help finalize an agreement, with Al-Qahera el-Ekhbariya reporting that Cairo is holding intensive contacts with various parties to resume indirect talks and reach a final, mutually agreed formula. According to Israel's public broadcaster KAN, Hamas has reiterated three core demands: the return to a previous aid distribution mechanism, an extension of the initial 60-day ceasefire period, and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal demand is expected to be a major obstacle, with Israeli daily Israel Hayom noting that Tel Aviv is unwilling to fully evacuate the Morag Axis, a military corridor separating Rafah from Khan Younis in southern Gaza. US President Donald Trump may announce a breakthrough in the negotiations during a planned meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington next Monday, Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing unnamed officials. Though Hamas has not disclosed the full details of the latest proposal, Israeli and American media suggest that the plan includes the phased release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others, in exchange for a significant release of Palestinian detainees and a gradual Israeli military pullback from specified areas inside Gaza. The issue remains politically charged in Israel, where top officials continue to demand the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leadership. Meanwhile, Palestinian and Israeli rights groups have condemned the conditions faced by more than 10,400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, citing torture, starvation, and medical neglect. Despite mounting international pressure, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has continued unabated since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. More than 57,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The International Criminal Court last November issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its conduct in the war. — Agencies
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Trump Says there Could Be a Gaza Deal Next Week
President Donald Trump said on Friday it was good that Hamas said it had responded in "a positive spirit" to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal. He told reporters aboard Air Force One there could be a deal on a Gaza ceasefire by next week but that he had not been briefed on the current state of negotiations. Hamas announced on Friday that it has completed its internal consultations, as well as discussions with Palestinian factions and forces, regarding the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators to end the assault on the Gaza Strip. In a press statement, the movement confirmed that it had submitted its response to the mediators, describing it as positive. Hamas also expressed its readiness to immediately engage in serious negotiations on the mechanism for implementing the proposed framework. A Palestinian official familiar with the matter told Reuters that Hamas had submitted its response to the US-brokered ceasefire proposal, describing it as positive and likely to facilitate reaching an agreement.
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Hezbollah Sends Mixed Signals on Its Weapons
Hezbollah has sent conflicting signals about its stance on a US proposal delivered by American envoy Tom Barrack during his visit to Beirut two weeks ago. Barrack is expected to return early next week to seek official responses during meetings with top Lebanese officials — including President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The US proposal reportedly calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and for exclusive control of weapons to rest with the Lebanese state — a longstanding demand by Washington and its allies. While senior Hezbollah officials, including MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, have said the group remains 'resolute, composed and clear in its options' in the face of growing pressure, its parliamentary bloc, Loyalty to the Resistance, insisted that any talk about disarmament must follow an Israeli pullout from occupied Lebanese territory. In a statement after its regular meeting chaired by MP Mohammad Raad, the bloc emphasized the need for a firm and sovereign Lebanese stance, stressing that Beirut had 'fully adhered' to the ceasefire terms, while accusing Israel of repeatedly violating them. 'Lebanon remains committed to its national and sovereign rights, despite all the pressure, collusion and blatant bias shown by some major powers in favor of the Zionist enemy,' the statement read. The bloc underscored that all discussions about national security strategy and stability must be rooted in a 'framework of sovereignty,' and said the logical starting point is Israel's withdrawal from occupied areas and its full compliance with the ceasefire. Hezbollah has also begun a major strategic review in the aftermath of its destructive war with Israel, exploring ways to scale back its role as an armed group without fully relinquishing its weapons, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters. The review comes amid increasing doubts over the level of support the group can expect from its main backer, Iran, which is itself emerging from a fierce conflict with Israel, according to a senior Lebanese official and a regional security source. A senior Hezbollah figure with knowledge of the group's internal deliberations said secret discussions are underway over its next steps. The official, who requested anonymity, said small committees have been holding in-person and remote meetings to examine Hezbollah's leadership structure, political role, social outreach, development work, and weapons arsenal. According to the official and two other sources briefed on the talks, Hezbollah has concluded that the large weapons stockpile it amassed to deter Israel has now become a liability. 'Hezbollah had an excess of power, and all that power has become a curse,' the official said. 'The group is not suicidal.' Following the dismantling of most of its arsenal south of the Litani River - in line with previous agreements - Hezbollah is now considering handing over some of its heavy weapons from other parts of Lebanon, particularly drones and long-range missiles viewed as Israel's top concern. However, the sources said any such move would depend on Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon and a halt to its military operations. Hezbollah has no intention of giving up its entire arsenal, they stressed. The group is expected to retain light arms and anti-tank missiles, which it views as a necessary deterrent against future attacks. Amid these discussions, Hezbollah lawmakers have continued to defend the group's armed status. MP Hussein Jishi, a member of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, said it was 'an illusion' for the Lebanese state to rely solely on diplomacy and international relations to reclaim occupied land. 'Seven months have passed since the ceasefire, and none of those bets have yielded any results,' he said. 'Clinging to the resistance remains the only effective, national, human and moral choice to defend the country and preserve dignity.' A European official familiar with Western intelligence assessments told Reuters that Hezbollah is engaged in extensive internal discussions about its future, but so far with no definitive outcome. The official described the group's armed status as 'part of its identity,' making it difficult to evolve into a purely political party. Around a dozen sources with insight into Hezbollah's thinking said the group is intent on keeping part of its arsenal not only due to threats from Israel but also out of concern that Sunni militants in neighboring Syria could exploit any security vacuum to launch attacks on eastern Lebanon - a stronghold of the Shi'ite group.
