The Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, close to the Shiite group Hezbollah, reported that the initiative includes a pause in fighting in three phases, lasting 124 days, in which a cessation of military operations would be applied in parallel with an increase in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians.
However, the document does not add Hamas’s main demand, which is the end of the war, according to the Lebanese channel Al Mayadin, which cites Palestinian sources.
The Islamist movement demands “a permanent ceasefire” in Gaza, “a withdrawal” of Israel from the territory and a clear timetable for the start of reconstruction, said Hamas negotiator Zaher Jabareen.
So far no further details have been given regarding the conversation between William Burns and Abás Kamel.
According to an Egyptian security source, who requested anonymity, in the meeting both officials addressed the latest news on the situation in the Palestinian enclave and the Egyptian proposal to reach a truce in the Strip.
On Monday, a team of Hamas negotiators maintained “expanded conversations” in Cairo, where the new proposal was explained to them, and Egyptian sources stated that the Palestinian group’s delegation “left” the Egyptian capital “but will return with a written response.”
Hamas has not yet responded to the proposal and is considering giving one in a “short” period. According to an official from the Palestinian group, the response will be “at the beginning of next week,” without specifying the date.
Read also: End of the truce: fighting between Israel and Hamas resumes and there are already dozens of deaths in Gaza
On April 29, Zaher Jabareen said it was “too early to talk regarding a positive atmosphere,” although Egypt as the main mediator showed “hope.”
For his part, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, May 1, that his country is determined to now obtain a truce between Israel and Hamas.
Since the start of the war on October 7, fighting has only ceased for a week during a truce at the end of November that allowed the release of 80 Israeli or dual national hostages, as well as 20 foreigners, in an exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. .
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