The Hamas movement has publicly rejected the ceasefire framework and the hostage exchange outline presented for Gaza, signaling its stance through statements attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This latest position appears to contradict the terms advanced by the United States and backed by Israel, which Hamas reportedly viewed as unacceptable in its current form.
Netanyahu conveyed that Hamas insisted on 29 amendments to the proposed plan—a position that, in his view, rendered the package meaningless. He stressed that no comprehensive agreement existed on any key element, including how hostages would be exchanged, who would oversee security in the Philadelphia Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, and other critical provisions that shape the pause in fighting.
According to the Israeli leader, Hamas rejected the entire package on the table. The message from Netanyahu underscored persistent gaps between the parties, with negotiations stalling over several fundamental points and yielding little progress since the plan was endorsed by Washington and Israel earlier this year.
The plan had been carried forward by the U.S. administration, with President Joe Biden affirming support for the arrangement on May 27, 2024, a move that placed renewed pressure on both sides to reach a working agreement. Despite those assurances, attempts to finalize terms have since faltered, and recent discussions have failed to yield a mutual accord on the major issues that divide the sides.
In another development, a large public demonstration took place on September 1, when an estimated 550,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv to demand the immediate release of hostages. The rally followed reports that six Hamas prisoners were located in a tunnel near Rafah, though no rescues were reported at the time. The turnout reflected broad public concern over the humanitarian and security dimensions of the conflict.
On September 2, an Israeli court ordered an end to the strike by citizens, signaling a potential shift in domestic pressure surrounding the broader security situation and ongoing protests. The decision added another layer of complexity to an already tense regional improvised peace process.
Earlier in the crisis, Egypt indicated that Netanyahu had a role in actively pursuing a resolution to the Gaza Strip conflict, signaling regional involvement aimed at stabilizing the situation and seeking a durable, enforceable ceasefire agreement that could address both security concerns and humanitarian needs.