Hamas seeking 'international guarantees' for Gaza ceasefire amid Trump threats: Report
Israel's Defense Minister said it is the 'last opportunity' for Palestinians to flee Gaza City as the army's ethnic cleansing campaign intensifies
Hamas is examining the ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and wishes to amend several points in it, AFP reported on 1 October, citing a Palestinian source close to the resistance movement.
Trump's 20-point plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israelis held captive within 72 hours in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, Hamas's disarmament, the deportation of the movement's leaders, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
A Palestinian source close to the Hamas leadership stated that "no final decision" had been made and that "the movement will likely need two to three days," AFP wrote.
"Hamas wants to amend some of the items, such as the disarmament clause and the expulsion of Hamas," the source said.
Hamas is also asking for "international guarantees" for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the strip and guarantees that Israel would not violate a ceasefire.
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Hamas had "about three or four days" to accept his 20-point Gaza plan, warning the resistance movement it would "pay in hell" if it refused.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted Wednesday that the Israeli military is close to encircling Gaza City and that Palestinians have a "last opportunity" to flee their homes.
"This will tighten the encirclement around Gaza City and everyone leaving it to the south will be forced to pass through IDF checkpoints," said Katz in a press release.
"This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force."
Civilians remaining in Gaza City will be considered "terrorists and supporters of terror," by invading Israeli forces, Katz confirmed.
Israel continues to kill dozens of civilians across Gaza daily. The enclave's civil defense agency said Israeli strikes killed at least 46 people on Wednesday, including 36 in Gaza City.
A strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinian families killed eight people.
Fadel al-Jadba, 26, told AFP he would defy Katz's threats and remain in his home in Gaza City.
"We want a ceasefire at any cost because we are frustrated, exhausted, and find no one in the world standing with us," he told the French news agency.