Ceasefire Hopes Dim as Hamas Rejects Israeli Demands in Gaza Negotiations

Cairo: Hamas announced on Sunday its rejection of new Israeli conditions in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, casting doubt on the likelihood of a breakthrough in the US-backed efforts to end the 10-month conflict in Gaza.

Despite months of intermittent talks, no agreement has been reached to halt Israel’s military campaign in Gaza or secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack on Israel, which ignited the war.

Key obstacles in the negotiations, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, include Israel’s insistence on maintaining a presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. Hamas accused Israel of reneging on a previous commitment to withdraw troops from the Corridor and introducing new demands, such as screening displaced Palestinians returning to northern Gaza.

“We will not accept retractions or new conditions,” said Hamas official Osama Hamdan on Al-Aqsa TV.

Hamas had agreed in July to begin talks on releasing Israeli hostages, but Hamdan dismissed recent US claims of an imminent deal, stating that Hamas has already responded to the latest proposal.