Hamas rejects 'new conditions' in proposed Gaza deal, say officials

Hamas rejects 'new conditions' ( File)

Hamas will not accept "new conditions" from Israel in a proposal put forward during talks in Doha aimed at sealing a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza war, officials told AFP on Friday.

Israel's "new" conditions include keeping troops inside Gaza along its border with Egypt, an informed source said, while Hamas demands "a complete ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Strip, a normal return of the displaced and a (prisoner) exchange deal" without restrictions.

Israel also demanded veto rights on the prisoners to be exchanged, and the ability to deport some prisoners rather than send them back to Gaza, the source said.

Separately, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant spoke to his US counterpart Lloyd Austin Friday, stressing the importance of negotiating the release of the hostages held in Gaza since October 7.

Gallant "highlighted that the achievement of this agreement is both a moral imperative and a strategic, security priority", his office said in a statement.

Associated Press reported that mediators for the Gaza ceasefire talks, including representatives from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, are optimistic about reaching a resolution. The two-day discussions concluded with plans to reconvene in Cairo next week.

The talks, which began on Thursday, aim to end the ongoing 10-month conflict and secure the release of hostages. The mediators presented a new proposal and are working on further details for implementation. Hamas, not directly involved in the talks, has criticised Israel for introducing new demands beyond an earlier proposal supported internationally.

While both parties have agreed in principle to the framework announced by President Biden on May 31, disputes over amendments and clarifications have led to mutual accusations of undermining the deal. The new bridging proposal seeks to address these issues and facilitate a swift resolution.

Hamas militants seized 251 people during the Palestinian Islamist movement's unprecedented attack on October 7, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 40,005 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.

(Inputs from Agencies)