Hamas Takes New Military Infrastructure Proposal to Cairo

Hamas has brought a revised proposal to Cairo for the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire, aiming to address key sticking points in negotiations with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators. The delegation's agenda includes discussions on the future of factional weapons and the status of Hamas government employees in Gaza.

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The proposal calls for a legal committee to resolve the issue while protecting employees’ rights under Palestinian law.

Sources indicate Hamas is proposing new language for the clause concerning government employees, suggesting a legal committee to safeguard their rights under Palestinian law. For the contentious weapons clause, the group is reportedly willing to include the term "infrastructure," a significant shift from its previous refusal, with its definition to be negotiated. Hamas sources stated the delegation has full backing to proceed with the second phase, contingent on the complete implementation of the first phase's terms.

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Clause Eight, on weapons, would now include the term “infrastructure,” which Hamas had previously refused to accept.

Despite cautious optimism from some Palestinian factions, who note Hamas's potentially more positive response to mediator proposals, Hamas sources caution against overconfidence. They acknowledge that internal agreement exists within Hamas to make concessions and avoid giving Israel a pretext to block the deal. However, they also recognize that Israel's upcoming elections could lead to the rejection of any proposal, even those agreed upon with mediators. The inclusion of "infrastructure" and readiness to place weapons under mediator monitoring are seen as significant steps, especially as Israel has agreed to allow the Board of Peace and its International Stabilization Force into Gaza.

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The sources said the Hamas delegation would accept any agreement reached with mediators on the two clauses.