Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Hamas response to the Israeli-U.S. proposal for a ceasefire deal includes changes that “are not acceptable to Israel.” Drop Site news organization reports that it has received a copy of the proposed changes from Hamas, dated July 4.
In brief, Hamas wants:
• To have Egypt and Qatar listed as guarantors, not merely mediators.
• U.S. guarantees that Israel will maintain the ceasefire as negotiations continue for a broader peace agreement.
• A more specific timeline for the withdrawal of IDF forces, first from northern Gaza. The forces should return to their positions as of March 2, when Israel abandoned the original ceasefire deal.
• Food aid to be coordinated by the UN and Palestinian Red Crescent (not merely their “participation").
