Palestinian factions are reviewing amendments presented by Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative for Gaza at the Board of Peace, to Hamas during a meeting with mediators in Cairo on Wednesday. Asharq Al Awsat has learned from sources within Hamas and other Palestinian factions that consultations are underway both within individual factions and among the factions collectively. A Hamas source and two Palestinian faction sources said that faction representatives will hold an extended meeting in Cairo to discuss Mladenov's response to the latest amendments that the factions submitted to mediators several days ago. According to the Hamas source, Mladenov's amendments covered all provisions, not only the eighth clause concerning the restriction and storage of weapons. The source added that the term "infrastructure," which has been a point of disagreement both among the factions and in discussions with mediators, was also included. The source said Hamas leaders are holding internal consultations, as well as discussions with relevant bodies, including the leadership of the movement's military wing, the Izz ad Din al Qassam Brigades, inside Gaza, regarding the proposed amendments. He added that specific wording will be agreed upon before being presented to the factions for review and comment, with the aim of reaching a unified national position to submit to the mediators. The source also noted that a representative of the US administration, one of the aides to US envoy Jared Kushner, participated in the meeting between Mladenov and Hamas leaders held in Cairo on Wednesday in the presence of the mediators. Two Palestinian faction sources said that internal consultations are taking place within each faction and that a comprehensive national meeting will be convened to formulate observations on Mladenov's amendments. They said the latest proposals will be examined and compared with the revisions made by the factions in their most recent response, with efforts focused on narrowing differences in wording to facilitate further progress following recent advances. One of the remaining points of contention is the term "infrastructure" and how it should be defined. Some factions had advised Hamas to include the term within the eighth clause dealing with the restriction and storage of weapons. However, the movement's leadership considered the definition too broad and argued that consensus on its meaning must be reached before Mladenov incorporates it into his amendments in coordination with the mediators. As a result, the issue has become a central focus of consultations both within and among the factions. Some faction leaders had advised Hamas that the definition of infrastructure should be limited to tunnels, weapons manufacturing workshops, and weapons storage facilities, without extending to additional elements such as personnel, military sites, vehicles, or other assets. Palestinians sit overlooking a tent camp sheltering displaced people, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, June 18, 2026. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY These developments come amid continued Israeli military escalation on the ground. Early Friday, three Palestinians were wounded when an artillery shell landed near their tent in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Two others were injured by gunfire from military vehicles and drones in areas near the Yellow Line. On Friday morning, members of armed gangs in northern Gaza advanced the Yellow Line by approximately 200 meters westward from the Al Alami area of Jabalia camp, causing a new wave of displacement among families living nearby. The move aimed to expand the areas of Gaza under Israeli control, following similar steps taken by Israeli forces in several locations across the Strip in recent days. Meanwhile, a number of Israeli military and engineering vehicles advanced east of Deir al Balah toward the south, west of the Yellow Line, carrying out demolition operations against homes in the area. On Thursday, Israeli forces killed five Palestinians in two airstrikes and through gunfire from military vehicles and drones in several areas of the Gaza Strip. The number of Palestinian casualties since the ceasefire entered into force on October 10, 2025, has risen to more than 1,000 dead and over 3,000 wounded.
