Hamas Responds to Biden’s Ceasefire Proposal, Wants Firm Timeline for Permanent Ceasefire

Hamas has submitted to Egyptian and Qatari mediators its formal response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal that was recently outlined by President Biden. The Palestinian group is seeking stronger assurances on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Under the initial proposal, the two sides would negotiate a permanent truce during the first phase and implement it in the second phase.

An official familiar with the talks told The Washington Post that Hamas’s response contained “amendments to the Israeli proposal, including a timeline for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.”

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in the joint statement that the response “prioritizes the interests of the Palestinian people and emphasizes the need for a complete halt to the ongoing aggression in Gaza.”