Hamas Accepts 60-Day Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict
Hamas and allied Palestinian resistance factions have officially endorsed a 60-day ceasefire proposal facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, according to senior officials and multiple media reports.
The plan, which encompasses military redeployments, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian guarantees, is pending a formal response from Israel, whose stance remains unclear due to internal divisions and ongoing military conflicts.
The ceasefire framework stipulates:
- A 1,000-meter withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern and eastern Gaza, excluding Shuja’iyya and Beit Lahia, with adjustments to military redeployment maps.
- A prisoner exchange that includes the release of 140 Palestinians serving life sentences, 60 serving more than 15 years, along with all detained women and children.
- An exchange of remains, with 10 Palestinian bodies returned for each deceased Israeli.
- Immediate entry of humanitarian aid, including fuel, water, electricity, hospital and bakery rehabilitation, along with equipment to clear rubble, coordinated by the UN, Red Crescent, and other international agencies.
- Reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, under previously agreed terms.
Based on a U.S.-backed initiative led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, the plan is viewed as a first phase toward a comprehensive resolution. It includes a 60-day suspension of hostilities, during which negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and postwar guarantees for Gaza’s future will continue.
Although Israeli officials have acknowledged receipt of the proposal, there has been no formal response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to emphasize demands for the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and Israeli security control over Gaza—all of which remain red lines for Hamas, which insists on a full withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire prior to releasing remaining hostages.
Public pressure is intensifying. On Sunday, nearly 500,000 Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv, advocating for a deal to conclude the war and secure the release of captives. Families of hostages have implored the government to act swiftly, expressing concerns that further military escalation could jeopardize their loved ones.
Despite this diplomatic development, violence persists. Israeli forces have pushed into Gaza City’s Sabra suburb, and airstrikes have claimed at least 11 lives over the past 24 hours. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 62,000 Palestinian casualties since October 2023, with more than 153,000 injured, predominantly women and children.
UN agencies warn that Gaza is on the brink of famine, citing allegations of deliberate starvation tactics by rights organizations. While the ceasefire proposal includes provisions for intensive aid delivery, past agreements have been unilaterally violated, raising concerns regarding future compliance.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed the group’s agreement, stating: “We pray that God extinguishes the fires of this war on our people.” He cautioned that Israel has previously broken similar commitments and stressed that humanitarian aid is not a bargaining chip, but a legal obligation under international law.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are expected to reconvene this week, potentially alongside U.S. envoy Witkoff, to advocate for final approval and enactment of the ceasefire. The Rafah crossing, seized by Israel in May 2024, remains closed, complicating logistics for aid delivery and evacuation.
If Israel dismisses the proposal or delays its response, analysts warn of a renewed offensive in Gaza City, which could displace hundreds of thousands more individuals and threaten the fragile diplomatic momentum. Netanyahu has alluded to a “turning point” in the conflict, suggesting that escalated military operations may be imminent.
Global leaders have cautiously welcomed Hamas’ acceptance and urged Israel to react constructively. The European Union, Arab League, and African Union have collectively called for restraint and a sustainable peace solution. The UN Security Council is anticipated to convene an emergency session later this week, reports 24brussels.
