Israel has dismissed the Palestinian armed faction Hamas's demands for amendments to the peace agreement regarding the Gaza Strip, stating that it cannot "accept" them, raising concerns that the ceasefire may once again fall through. While Israel has shown a hardline response, it is still committed to engaging in the negotiations as scheduled.
On the 5th (local time), according to The Times of Israel and others, on this day, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that Hamas had made several amendment requests regarding the ceasefire proposal suggested the previous day by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, but that this is "not permissible."
Prime Minister Netanyahu added that the negotiating team would engage in indirect negotiations with Hamas over the ceasefire and hostage release in Doha, Qatar, on the 6th. Prime Minister Netanyahu himself plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on the 7th to discuss the situations in Gaza and Iran.
According to the 60-day ceasefire proposal suggested by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, Hamas is to return 10 hostages and 18 bodies, while Israel will release Palestinian detainees. The release of the hostages will occur in five phases.
The Israeli military is to withdraw from northern Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire and gradually withdraw troops from some areas in southern Gaza by the seventh day. Additionally, both sides are to begin negotiations for a permanent ceasefire under the supervision of the mediating country from the first day of the ceasefire. The United States ensures that, if necessary, the ceasefire may be extended beyond 60 days to reach a negotiated agreement.
Hamas stated the day before that it is "prepared to seriously commence negotiations on a mechanism to implement the conditions of the ceasefire draft" and has relayed a positive response regarding the ceasefire proposal to the mediators. It has been reported that Israel also agreed to the ceasefire proposal.
According to sources involved in mediation, Hamas's amendment requests number three. They are to continue negotiations for a permanent ceasefire until an agreement is reached, to fully resume humanitarian aid led by the United Nations and other international humanitarian organizations, and for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to transfer to positions prior to the collapse of the ceasefire in March.
The duration of the ceasefire has been the most contentious issue between the two sides. The far-right factions in Israel demand the "complete annihilation" of Hamas and have been requesting a short-term ceasefire, while Hamas, seeking an end to the war, emphasizes a permanent ceasefire. Hamas's request is to secure a more explicit guarantee of a permanent ceasefire than what is currently stipulated in the ceasefire proposal.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces to their positions before the collapse of the ceasefire means a complete withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip. In March, Israel unilaterally ended a ceasefire that had lasted for two months and resumed airstrikes, aiming to reoccupy the Gaza Strip for the first time in 20 years.
According to the Israeli military, as of this month, the ground forces have already seized more than 75% of Gaza, so it remains uncertain whether Israel will comply with Hamas's demands. Reports indicate that Israel is currently requesting the United States to allow operations to be resumed if Hamas does not comply with demands for disarmament and leadership expulsion. Israel has not specifically mentioned which of Hamas's three demands would be unacceptable.