On the 4th (local time), Hamas, a Palestinian military group, called for a gradual ceasefire. However, concerns about protracted negotiations are rising as Israel refuses to participate in the conference.
A source from Hamas revealed in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that “Hamas will agree on a negotiation plan to reach a full ceasefire with Israel gradually.” According to AFP, the ceasefire negotiations resumed between the Hamas delegation and the mediators of Qatar, Egypt, and the US ended before 9 pm that day and are scheduled to resume on the 5th. The mediators heard the Hamas delegation’s response to the proposal to halt the battle for 40 days and exchange hostages with Palestinian prisoners. Israel delivered a new ceasefire proposal to Hamas through Egypt on June 26th but did not directly attend the Cairo meeting. According to AFP, an Israeli official stated they would go to Cairo only when there is a ‘positive movement’ about the ceasefire proposal.
Although the full text of the negotiation proposal has not been disclosed, it was reported that it contains content to exchange 33 hostages, including women, the elderly, and patients, with 900 Palestinians imprisoned in Egyptian prisons and to cease fire for about 40 days. Moreover, it was reported that Israel, which had previously refused a permanent ceasefire, left room for compromise by stating that they could discuss the restoration of sustainable peace.