DOHA, QATAR – Hamas has submitted its formal response to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the eight-month war in Gaza, Qatari and Egyptian mediators announced Tuesday. The response, delivered jointly with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, includes "amendments" to the deal, primarily seeking a guaranteed timeline for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

The development marks a critical juncture in intensive diplomatic efforts to halt a conflict that has devastated the Palestinian territory. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently on a tour of the region to push for the deal's acceptance, confirmed receipt of the reply and stated that mediators are now working to "bridge the gaps."

The Proposed Amendments

While the full details of Hamas's counter-proposal have not been made public, officials familiar with the negotiations report that the core of the amendments centers on the transition from the first phase of the agreement to the second. The original plan, outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden, lays out a three-phase process beginning with a six-week truce.

Hamas is reportedly seeking firmer guarantees that the initial six-week ceasefire will lead directly to a permanent end to hostilities. A senior Hamas official, speaking to news agencies, emphasized the group's demand for a "complete halt" to the fighting. The response reaffirms the group's conditions, which include the full withdrawal of the Israeli military from all of Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the start of a major reconstruction effort.

International Reactions and Next Steps

The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are now carefully evaluating the Hamas response. Speaking at a press conference in Doha alongside Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary Blinken acknowledged the reply.

"Hamas has proposed a number of changes," Blinken said Wednesday. "Some of the changes are workable. Some are not." He did not elaborate on which specific amendments were considered non-starters but stressed that the U.S. and its partners would work to finalize an agreement. "The time for haggling is over," Blinken added, placing the onus on Hamas to commit to the deal.

Israeli officials have not yet issued a formal public statement on the Hamas counter-offer. However, Israel has consistently maintained that it will not agree to a permanent ceasefire until Hamas's military and governing capabilities are completely dismantled. This fundamental disagreement has been the primary obstacle in previous rounds of negotiations.

The Original Three-Phase Plan

The ceasefire framework, which received the endorsement of the UN Security Council on Monday, was presented as an Israeli proposal. It consists of three distinct stages:

• Phase One: A six-week ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. A number of Israeli hostages would be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian aid into Gaza would significantly increase.
• Phase Two: A permanent end to hostilities. In exchange for the release of all remaining hostages, Israeli forces would complete a full withdrawal from Gaza.
• Phase Three: The commencement of a multi-year reconstruction plan for the devastated Gaza Strip, with the return of the remains of any deceased hostages.

The ambiguity surrounding the conditions for moving from the first to the second phase has been a central point of contention. Hamas has expressed fears that Israel could resume military operations after the initial hostage exchange is completed.

Mediators are now engaged in a delicate process to see if the differences can be reconciled without derailing the entire initiative. The coming days are expected to be decisive, determining whether the region moves toward a fragile peace or descends into further conflict and humanitarian suffering.