The BBC understands that mediators have contacted the head of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, who signaled opposition to the new US ceasefire proposal.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad reportedly views the plan as a strategy to dismantle Hamas regardless of whether the group accepts it, and remains committed to continuing the fight.
The US framework—presented by President Donald Trump and already accepted by Israel—lays out a 20-point roadmap requiring Hamas to disarm and relinquish any role in governing Gaza. While some of Hamas’s political leadership based in Qatar are said to be open to negotiations with modifications, their influence is limited as they do not control the hostages. Approximately 48 hostages remain in captivity, with only about 20 believed to be alive.
A major sticking point is the requirement that Hamas release all hostages within the first 72 hours of the ceasefire, effectively surrendering its key leverage. Even with US assurances that Israel would uphold the deal, distrust runs deep—particularly after Israel’s recent attempt to assassinate Hamas leaders in Doha in defiance of Washington. Hamas leaders have also voiced opposition to the deployment of a proposed “International Stabilisation Force” in Gaza, viewing it as another form of occupation.
The plan also envisions phased Israeli withdrawals but maintains a “security buffer zone” along Gaza’s borders. If Israel plays a role in administering this zone, it could become a further source of contention.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly resisted aspects of the agreement. In a video posted on X, he insisted Israeli forces would retain positions inside Gaza and reaffirmed Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state—contradicting the US framework, which includes a pathway toward Palestinian self-determination once security is assured.
Hamas, for its part, has long maintained that it will not disarm until a sovereign Palestinian state is established.
The conflict began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 66,225 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
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