Hamas announced on Monday it had accepted a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, raising cautious hopes after nearly two years of relentless war. Mediators Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, had pressed for a deal as Gaza’s humanitarian collapse deepened into famine and despair.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed the group’s acceptance without amendments, declaring in a statement that they prayed for “the fire of this war” to end. Egypt said the proposal was forwarded to Israel, insisting “the ball is now in its court,” though Israeli officials have yet to reply.
Palestinian sources suggested mediators may soon announce a framework, with guarantees offered to secure implementation and pursue a longer-term settlement. According to Egyptian state-linked media, the plan includes a 60-day truce, phased hostage releases, prisoner exchanges, and expanded humanitarian access into the besieged enclave.
The move follows Israel’s approval to expand operations in Gaza City, fuelling international alarm as civilian deaths and internal dissent continue to rise sharply. Out of 251 hostages seized during Hamas’s October 2023 assault, Israel says 49 remain captive, including 27 believed dead in Gaza.
Islamic Jihad indicated all factions support the Egyptian-Qatari initiative, with remaining captives to be released in a later phase of negotiations. Yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned any agreement must ensure the simultaneous release of all hostages and align with Israel’s war objectives.
US President Donald Trump insisted hostages would only return if Hamas was “confronted and destroyed,” hardening Washington’s rhetoric amid fragile diplomacy. Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defence reported fresh Israeli strikes killing at least 11 people, though casualty figures remain unverified due to restricted media access.
Amnesty International accused Israel of pursuing a “deliberate policy” of starvation, charges Israel rejects as it maintains strict limits on aid deliveries. UN-backed figures say more than 62,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since Israel’s campaign began, a toll that grows daily in Gaza’s ruins.
