Ball in Israel's court as Palestinian groups agreement narrows Gaza ceasefire gaps

The current round of ceasefire negotiations in Cairo has entered what Palestinian officials describe as its "most decisive phase" after Hamas and other Palestinian factions reached agreement on the final version of a proposal drafted by UN Special Coordinator for the US-backed "Board of Peace's" High Representative for Gaza, Nikolay Mladenov

Palestinian sources familiar with the negotiations told The New Arab that the factions have overcome their remaining differences over the 15-point document after weeks of legal and technical revisions.

Attention has now shifted almost entirely to Israel's response, which is seen as the decisive factor in determining whether the agreement can move from negotiations to implementation, according to the sources.

Since last October, when an alleged US-brokered 'ceasefire' took effect, over 1,200 Palestinians in Gaza, mainly civilians, have been killed by daily Israeli strikes.

The breakthrough comes after months of indirect talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, amid growing international pressure to turn the fragile ceasefire into a sustainable arrangement capable of ending the war and opening the door to reconstruction.

A Palestinian source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations, said Hamas accepted the final wording after what he described as "the highest degree of flexibility" shown by Palestinian factions.

"The priority has become ending the war, stopping Israeli attacks, securing a withdrawal from Gaza and beginning reconstruction," the source said.

The agreement coincided with the arrival of a Hamas delegation in Cairo on Tuesday for meetings with Egyptian officials, Qatari and Turkish mediators, and Palestinian factions aimed at advancing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement reached in Sharm el-Sheikh last October.

Remaining sticking points

Although most of Mladenov's proposal had already been agreed, two provisions remained contentious until the latest round of negotiations.

The fifth clause concerns the administration of Gaza's civilian institutions after the deployment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, headed by Ali Shaath.

The committee would oversee public services, maintain civil records and address the status of government employees while assuming financial responsibilities after taking office.

The eighth clause deals with heavy weapons. Under the revised proposal, discussions over heavy weapons, tunnels and military production sites would begin only after Israel fulfils its obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, the National Committee enters Gaza, and an international stabilisation force is deployed.

A source within the Palestinian resistance factions previously told TNA that mediators had bridged differences on both clauses by introducing legal and technical amendments accepted by all Palestinian parties.

According to the source, revisions concerning government employees strengthened legal guarantees protecting their rights, while amendments to the weapons clause linked implementation directly to the timetable for Israel's withdrawal and introduced agreed mechanisms for addressing armed groups collaborating with Israel.

Israel under pressure

With the Palestinian position now largely unified, officials argue responsibility for any further delay rests with Israel.

Samir al-Mashharawi, deputy head of Fatah's Democratic Reform Movement, said in press statements that Hamas had made "a series of concessions" to remove remaining obstacles.

"The movement seeks to resolve all outstanding issues ahead of signing and implementing the agreement," he added.

Al-Mashharawi accused Israel of delaying implementation of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement despite progress achieved through mediation.

"The Israeli occupation bears responsibility for obstructing implementation," he said, adding that the parties were closer than ever to enabling the National Committee's entry into Gaza.

He also stressed that any future arrangements must preserve the unity of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

From negotiations to implementation

Gaza-based political analyst Wissam Afifa believes the most important development in Cairo is not that Hamas has offered new concessions, but that recent revisions to Mladenov's proposal appear to have received more positive signals from Washington.

"The real change is the emergence of a more positive American position after Palestinian observations were incorporated into the latest draft," Afifa told TNA.

He said previous negotiation rounds centred on Hamas seeking guarantees that any flexibility it demonstrated would not simply trigger new Israeli demands.

According to Afifa, indirect communication with the United States has recently conveyed encouraging messages regarding Palestinian amendments, giving negotiations renewed momentum.

He also linked the progress to Hamas's earlier decision to dissolve its Government Follow-up Committee and declare its readiness to transfer civilian administration to the National Committee.

Afifa noted that the revised weapons clause now limits discussions to heavy weapons and related capabilities, while placing them under the supervision of the National Committee rather than requiring their transfer to Israel. Likewise, the employee issue has been reframed as a legal and administrative matter governed by Palestinian law instead of political bargaining.

Despite the improved atmosphere, Afifa warned that the negotiations remain at a critical stage.

"The Palestinian side has significantly narrowed its disagreements over the document," he said. "The real test now is whether the United States and the mediators can ensure Israel implements what has been agreed."

He argued that clear timelines and monitoring mechanisms would be essential to prevent future delays or competing interpretations of the agreement.

Gazans remain cautious

Inside Gaza, the local residents are watching the negotiations with caution after repeated rounds of failed agreements and broken promises.

Abdel Salam Abu al-Qumsan, 45, who was displaced to Gaza City after his home in Jabalia refugee camp was destroyed, said years of disappointment have left him sceptical.

"I don't pay much attention anymore," he told TNA. "Every time they tell us an agreement is close, new disagreements emerge. If Hamas isn't blamed, Israel creates new obstacles or delays implementation. I only believe what I see on the ground."

"We lost our home, my children have lived without stability for months, and we're exhausted from waiting. I don't care who wins politically. I just want the war to end so people can return home," he said.

Firas Abu Kumail, a father of two from Gaza City, believes this round of negotiations could finally succeed if both sides honour their commitments.

"The Palestinians have nothing left to lose," he told TNA. "The destruction is enormous, and rebuilding will take years, but reconstruction cannot begin without a complete end to the fighting."

He added that ordinary Palestinians are simply looking for a chance to rebuild their lives.

"We want schools and hospitals to reopen, people to return to work and families to support themselves again. We're not asking for miracles. We just want the opportunity to live," he said.

The negotiations are also being closely followed by thousands of the Hamas-run government employees whose futures depend on the agreement.

Yaman al-Ghoul, 25, a civil servant in Gaza and the sole survivor of his family, told TNA that he hopes the understandings reached in Cairo finally protect public employees.

"We're civil servants, not part of political disputes," he said. "We simply want our rights protected according to the law."

"For thousands of families, salaries are their only source of income. Resolving this issue would provide much-needed stability after everything people have endured," he added.

For now, the mood surrounding the negotiations is more optimistic than in previous rounds. Palestinian factions have largely united behind a common negotiating position, leaving the success of the latest ceasefire effort dependent on whether Israel is prepared to move from negotiations to implementation.