Hamas confirmed on May 30 that it will review a US and Israel-proposed ceasefire proposal, even after initially rejecting it as not meeting Hamas’ core demands. This development marks an encouraging sign in efforts to end the eight-month-long conflict that has decimated Gaza and caused regional unrest.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled a three-phase roadmap aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Reportedly supported by Israel, this plan includes an initial six-week ceasefire period followed by hostage release and Israeli forces withdrawal from populated areas over time; increased humanitarian aid; as well as negotiations towards permanent cessation of hostilities negotiations.
Hamas initially responded that the plan “did not meet the expectations or sacrifices of the Palestinian people,” noting the absence of clear guarantees for Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and long-term lifting of its blockade. On Thursday however, senior Hamas political leader Osama Hamdan made headlines when he declared in an NBC televised interview that Hamas leaders are carefully studying it with allies, mediators (Quatar and Egypt among them) before making decisions based on it.
“The Movement has received the proposal of mediators and is reviewing it carefully with an eye towards meeting our people’s interests,” Hamdan stated. Any agreement must ensure a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli military withdrawal and reconstruction of Gaza under international supervision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Tel Aviv reiterated their support for the U.S. initiative, labeling it as “a basis for responsible negotiation” and emphasizing that any permanent solution must include security guarantees for Israel as well as demilitarizing Hamas. Unfortunately, however, Israeli officials have yet to commit fully withdraw in later phases of the plan, something Hamas remains staunchly opposed to.
International opinion towards the proposed deal has been cautiously optimistic. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres encouraged both sides to seize this chance to end civilian suffering, while European Union leaders welcomed and offered support in post-war reconstruction and monitoring efforts.
Since October 2024 when Hamas-led attacks against Israeli towns unexpectedly commenced, this conflict has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian casualties according to Gaza health officials and over 1,400 Israeli deaths. Large-scale displacement, infrastructure collapse and severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza are also consequences of this war, prompting increased international pressure for an immediate ceasefire agreement.
Analysts see Hamas’ decision to examine formally the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan as an important opening for renewed diplomacy. Regional observers speculate that the next 72 hours may determine whether this current draft leads to peace or another round of violence.
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