July 7, 2025 – Gaza/Tel Aviv/Amman
Hamas has submitted three major requests for amending the current ceasefire proposal, even as pressure mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a deal for the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
According to Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut, reporting from Amman, Hamas’s demands are centered on:
- Ensuring Continued Negotiations – The group wants guarantees that talks aimed at ending the war will continue even after the proposed 60-day truce expires, preventing the risk of renewed fighting without a final resolution.
- Overhaul of Humanitarian Aid Delivery – Hamas is demanding that all aid to Gaza be delivered through UN-led international mechanisms, not via the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is backed by the US and Israel. Notably, over 700 Palestinians have been killed and thousands wounded while seeking aid at GHF distribution points since late May.
- Limitations on Israeli Military Presence in Gaza – The group seeks clear terms regarding where Israeli forces can operate within Gaza during and after the ceasefire period.
Netanyahu Under Fire from Hostage Families
Meanwhile, protests erupted across Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa over the weekend as families of Israeli hostages still in Gaza demanded urgent action.
Only 10 of the estimated 20 surviving hostages would be returned under the current ceasefire proposal. This has led to public outrage and accusations that Netanyahu is blocking the deal for political gain.
“His right-wing allies—the reason why Netanyahu is still in power—oppose any deal,” said Salhut, adding that the families believe politics is being prioritized over lives.
The Prime Minister is currently on trial for corruption and is expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, where Gaza will likely dominate discussions.
Far-Right Pressure: ‘Abandon the Path of Surrender’
Hardline figures in Netanyahu’s coalition have also come out strongly against the deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared any agreement that involves Israeli troop withdrawal, release of Palestinian prisoners, or resumption of aid as a “reward for terrorism.”
“Victory lies in the total conquest of Gaza and halting all humanitarian aid,” Ben-Gvir posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling on Netanyahu to “abandon the path of surrender.”
Expert: Netanyahu ‘Hedging His Bets’
Omer Bartov, an Israeli-American scholar of genocide studies, told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu may be intentionally stalling the end of the war to preserve his grip on power.
“If Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire, his government may collapse,” Bartov said.
“He’s negotiating cynically—using both the hostages and the war to buy time.”
Bartov warned that the current proposal allows Netanyahu to later accuse Hamas of non-compliance and resume military operations, thereby maintaining the conflict.
