Hamas called on ceasefire mediators and guarantors to compel Israel to agree to the roadmap for the second phase of the U.S. ceasefire plan.
The request highlights a critical friction point in negotiations, as the second phase typically involves more permanent arrangements and the cessation of hostilities.
The appeal took place on Sunday, Aug. 16 [1], during meetings held in El Alamein, Egypt [2]. Representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey were present as mediators during the discussions [2].
Hamas said the mediators must ensure Israel commits to the second stage of the plan to alleviate the suffering of residents in Gaza [3]. The group is seeking a binding mechanism that prevents Israel from deviating from the agreed-upon roadmap once the initial stages are completed.
The U.S.-led plan is structured in phases, with the second phase focusing on a more sustainable end to the conflict. Hamas said that without firm guarantees from the guarantors, the risk of a return to hostilities remains high [3].
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have continued to facilitate talks between the warring parties in an effort to reach a durable agreement. These discussions in El Alamein represent the latest attempt to bridge the gap between the demands of Hamas and the security requirements set by the Israeli government.
“Hamas called on ceasefire mediators and guarantors to compel Israel to agree to the roadmap.”
The insistence on binding guarantees for the second phase indicates that Hamas does not trust Israel to maintain a ceasefire once initial prisoner exchanges or humanitarian pauses are completed. By shifting the pressure onto the mediators—Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—Hamas is attempting to turn the regional guarantors into enforcement mechanisms for the US-led roadmap.
