As the United States intensifies pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (Donald Trump hopes to take a major step in his meeting with Netanyahu next week), all indications are that the future of the negotiations now lies in the hands of the new de facto leader of the Palestinian organization in Gaza.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad has taken over leadership of Hamas’ military wing in the Gaza Strip after Mohammed Shinwar was killed in an Israeli operation, a senior Middle East intelligence official and three Israeli defense officials revealed, speaking to the New York Times on condition of anonymity. The news was also confirmed by Israeli army spokesman Major General Efi Defrin.

According to officials, al-Haddad, who is in his early 50s, was involved in planning Hamas’ major attack on October 7, 2023, and is considered hardline, less conciliatory, and opposed to Israel’s efforts to remove the group from power in Gaza.

“Red lines”

“He has the same red lines as his predecessors,” said Michael Milstein, a former Israeli military intelligence officer specializing in Palestinian issues. The new Hamas leader, according to the report, has signaled that the organization will support a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli troops before releasing all hostages remaining in Gaza.

For its part, Israel seeks to completely neutralize Hamas’ military capabilities and strip it of power in the Gaza Strip. As al-Haddad reportedly said recently in a conversation quoted by the New York Times, either Hamas will reach an “honorable agreement” with Israel, or the conflict will turn into a “war of liberation or martyrdom.”

The new ceasefire proposal

Also on the table is the latest de-escalation initiative, which calls for a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 hostages, and the progressive transfer of the bodies of 18 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza. At the same time, it provides for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli military units up to the Morag line, which cuts through southern Gaza from east to west, between Rafah and Khan Younis.

According to the same plan, at least 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released from Israeli jails – including 100 people serving life sentences – and “tens of thousands of trucks” of humanitarian aid for the civilian population of the enclave are also scheduled to be sent.