Bashar Bahbah reveals: Gaza agreement possible despite Israeli and American withdrawal

Amid worsening hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip, and with Palestinians lining up at charity kitchens for food in a painful scene on July 22, political efforts continue to reach a ceasefire, amidst delicate disputes regarding the map of Israeli forces deployment, as revealed by Bashar Bahbah, head of the Arab Americans Committee.

Bahbah, who played a role in the Doha negotiations, affirmed that the negotiations did not collapse but were temporarily suspended, indicating the possibility of resuming them next week.

He explained that reaching an agreement is still possible, as Hamas shows openness to negotiations, adding that the disputes revolve around precise details not exceeding tens of meters in Israeli deployment maps within the sector.

Hamas also called for greater flexibility by presenting a new and logical proposal publicly.

In the same context, a senior leader in Hamas revealed to the American CNN network that there are two contentious points still hindering the agreement: the first relates to the exchange of detainees, and the second to the timetable for the Israeli forces withdrawal.

According to the leader, the movement presented two proposals before the American and Israeli delegations withdrew from the negotiations on Thursday, following accusations leveled against Hamas of "ill intentions".

One of the movement's proposals includes Israel releasing 2200 Palestinians in exchange for 10 living Israeli detainees, distributed among 200 serving life sentences, and 2000 residents of Gaza chosen by Hamas.

As for the exchange of the deceased, the movement suggests that Israel hand over the bodies of 10 Palestinians for each deceased Israeli soldier, in addition to releasing 50 prisoners from Gaza who were arrested after the October 7, 2023 attack, along with women and children under 18 chosen by the movement.

As for the second proposal, it entails the Israeli forces withdrawing by 1000 meters from uninhabited areas in northeastern Gaza, and 800 meters from inhabited areas.

In Rafah, southern Gaza, the withdrawal ranges from 700 to 1200 meters, depending on the area.

The document specifies that the withdrawal will be gradual at a rate of 50 meters per week from the "Philadelphia Corridor", the border strip between Rafah and Egypt, with the withdrawal to be completed on the fiftieth day.

On the other hand, after its delegation withdrew, Israel announced through its Foreign Ministry that it agreed to the American framework for the ceasefire and the release of detainees, but accused Hamas of extremism and backtracking on previous positions.

Nevertheless, Egypt and Qatar announced their continued pressure on both parties to finalize the agreement, with American assistance, but on Friday evening, US President Donald Trump stated that "the time has come to end the mission and get rid of Hamas", a stance that reshuffled the cards of political mediation.