Hamas Asks Israeli Troops To Withdraw 800 Meters From Settlements In Gaza

Israeli Military in Gaza Strip, Palestine (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday the main amendment proposed for the latest draft of the ceasefire agreement was the withdrawal of Israeli troops up to 800 meters from residential areas in the Gaza Strip.

The announcement follows Israel's demands for the release of all 50 hostages in the Palestinian territories, which goes against current gradual release proposals and dampen hopes for the final ceasefire.

Israel has not officially responded to a ceasefire proposal submitted by Qatar and Egypt, which has been approved by Hamas.

A senior official in the Palestinian militant group told The National, Hamas thought Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "would not agree" to the new draft.

He said the previous requirement "proposed withdrawal of troops to a smaller depth than demanded by the movement, but Hamas insisted Israel withdraw troops more than 800 meters from residential areas," as quoted by The National 20 August.

The official confirmed that Hamas had also accepted they would not rule Gaza, but insisted the Palestinian Authority could not rule the Gaza Strip alone.

"Hamas has no objection if Gaza is managed by local professional bodies, and ruling the Gaza Strip is not a priority for Hamas. However, the Palestinian Authority has not shown a positive stance, and if they want to rule Gaza alone, it will not work," he said.

Yesterday, Qatar urged Israel to accept a 60-day ceasefire to prevent a "humanitarian catastrophe" in the Gaza Strip. Hamas accepted the proposal, which would allow the initial release of 10 hostages.

Local media reports said Israel would provide an official response on Friday.

"What Netanyahu did in Gaza was an attempt to embarrass Hamas, destroy the movement, and force it to accept its terms," the official said, adding 70 percent of Gaza's territory is now under Israeli occupation.

Qatar said the proposal approved by Hamas was "almost identical" to the previous plan proposed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Israel had previously agreed to a outline of Witkoff's plans, but withdrew negotiators from Qatar last month and blamed Hamas for failing to reach an agreement. Since then, Israel has approved a new plan for an attack to seize Gaza, which forced new attempts to stop the war.

"We received a response, as we have said, from Hamas. It was a very positive response," said Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari on Tuesday.

"However, of course we are still waiting for an Israeli response to this proposal," he said.

He added that although there was no time frame for response, Israel was studying the proposal and "we hope for a quick and positive response".

"The proposal includes a path to a comprehensive agreement to end the war," said Al Ansari.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Hamas has agreed to lay down and keep its weapons under international scrutiny. Hamas has also approved the deployment of Arab troops in Gaza under UN surveillance to maintain security.

The source added that Hamas had conveyed to Qatari and Egyptian mediators that they had lifted US written guarantee requirements regarding negotiations with Israel regarding the full withdrawal from Gaza, and that the ceasefire would continue until the agreement was reached.