Hamas Review New Map Of Israel's Military Control In Gaza

JAKARTA - Hamas is reportedly reviewing the latest maps proposed by mediators regarding Israel's military control in the Gaza Strip, as part of negotiations over possible ceasefires and prisoner exchanges.

The Palestinian resistance group received updated maps from mediator states, which show areas in Gaza that are still under Israeli control, according to sources close to the negotiating team in Qatar.

The map covers most of the Beit Hanoun area in the north, half of Rafah, the Huzaa and Abasan areas south of Khan Younis, and most of Shujaiyya District in Gaza City.

The source told Anadolu news agency that Hamas had started internal consultations to evaluate the map and was in discussions with other Palestinian factions.

The previous map shows Israel still has full control of the vast territory of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, all of Rafah, most of Khan Younis, and border areas -- a proposal previously rejected by Hamas.

Hamas remains adamant on the lines of withdrawals agreed in January, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops as far as 390 to 1,100 meters from the Gaza region.

Along with the latest developments, a number of Israeli media have reported cautional optimism that progress may be achieved.

Daily Yudot Ahronot, citing sources close to the negotiations, said there was a "signal promising that an agreement could be reached in the next two weeks".

However, the report also notes that Hamas is still hesitant about the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for any Israeli prisoners.

The mediator, especially Qatar, is said to have played an important role in reducing the difference between the two parties.

Even so, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing unnamed government sources, Hamas has not yet responded to the latest proposal.

An Israeli official said, "We've shown flexibility, but Hamas hasn't responded yet."

A representative from one of the Arab mediator countries, who spoke anonymously to the KAN, said most of the disputes over the deployment of Israeli troops had been resolved, and only remained small issues.

Diplomat tersebut menggambarkan situasi saat ini sebagai optimisme yang hati-hati.

He also revealed that in the last two days in Doha, the main focus of the negotiations was on the number and identity of Palestinian prisoners who would be released in exchange for Israeli prisoners.

The diplomat also mentioned that the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani became an "important turning point" in pushing for the progress of negotiations.

Trump reportedly said that Washington was "satisfied with the progress it has made so far."

Trump previously announced that Israel had approved the necessary conditions for the implementation of a ceasefire for 60 days.

The ceasefire proposal, designed by Qatar and Egypt, has been submitted to Hamas for review.

Hamas responded positively, conveying to the mediator his willingness to continue and declaring ready to negotiate on the implementation of the ceasefire.

However, the Israeli government initially rejected a number of changes Hamas made to a proposal from Qatar, calling the change "unacceptable." However, the Israeli delegation continued to travel to Doha to continue the talks.

Negotiations in Doha have reportedly resolved many major differences, but Israel's refusal to withdraw troops from the Morag Corridor -- which separates Rafah and Khan Younis -- as well as the continued military presence in Rafah, remains a major obstacle in negotiations.