Mediators Egypt and Qatar have presented a new Israeli proposal for a Gaza ceasefire to Hamas, Reuters says, citing Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV, but a senior Hamas official said at least two elements of the proposal were nonstarters.
Citing sources, Al Qahera said mediators awaited Hamas’s response.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the proposal did not meet the Palestinian group’s demand that Israel commit to a complete halt of hostilities.
In the proposal, Israel also for the first time called for the disarmament of Hamas in the next phase of negotiations, which the group will not agree to, Abu Zuhri said.
“Handing over the resistance’s weapons is a million red lines and is not subject to consideration, let alone discussion”, Abu Zuhri said.
Israel did not immediately comment on the reported proposal.
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