Israel says Hamas’ changes to Gaza ceasefire deal ‘unacceptable’ — ApsnyNews World News

Israel has rejected Hamas’ proposed changes to a Gaza ceasefire deal but agreed to continue indirect talks in Doha, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday, as cited by Israeli media.

A negotiating team is expected to travel to Qatar on Sunday for the next round of negotiations with the Palestinian militant group.

US President Donald Trump announced a “final proposal” for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire last week, saying he expected positive replies from both sides within hours. Hamas responded on Friday “in a positive spirit,” saying it is “fully prepared” to immediately begin a new round of talks to implement the ceasefire framework. The group, however, proposed amendments. A source involved in the mediation efforts said Hamas wants talks on a permanent truce to continue during the 60-day pause, full restoration of UN aid instead of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to pre-March positions.

“The changes that Hamas is seeking to make to the Qatari proposal were delivered to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. It did not specify which demands were rejected. Nevertheless, Netanyahu has instructed his team to attend further talks in Qatar, the statement said.

The prime minister is also expected to travel to Washington on Monday for a meeting with Trump on Gaza, Iran, and other regional matters.

On Friday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he is “optimistic” a deal can be reached. The current draft includes a provision that Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is to travel to the region to finalize the agreement.

West Jerusalem has repeatedly refused to accept any deal that leaves Hamas in control of Gaza. A previous hostage-truce deal reached in January included a three-phase process ending with a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, but it collapsed in March after Israel refused to begin talks on ending the war.

Netanyahu reiterated his conditions last week: Hamas must surrender, disarm, and leave Gaza – terms the group continues to reject.

The conflict began with Hamas’ October 2023 assault on southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and 250 were taken hostage. Of those, 50 remain in Gaza, with fewer than half still alive. Israel’s military response has killed at least 57,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, over the past 21 months, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

On Saturday, the families of the hostages held protests across Israel, urging the government to finalize a ceasefire. Videos on social media show crowds marching in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva, calling for an end to the war and the return of the hostages.