Hamas Weighs Israeli Ceasefire Proposal As Hostage Deal Talks Intensify

 

Hamas is currently reviewing a new Israeli ceasefire proposal that includes the release of 10 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The plan, delivered to Hamas on Monday, outlines a potential 45-day truce in Gaza during which both sides would work toward a more permanent ceasefire agreement.

While the proposal represents Israel’s first major step toward a hostage release since the war resumed in March, it includes elements that Hamas has historically rejected — notably, the demand for disarmament in Gaza and the absence of a guaranteed end to hostilities.

Key Elements of the Proposal

According to a Hamas official, the deal would unfold in stages:

• Day 1 of the truce: Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander would be released as a symbolic gesture to the United States.

• Subsequent releases: Nine more hostages would be freed in exchange for 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,100 detainees held without charges since October 7, 2023.

• Information exchange: Both parties would share information on the status of remaining hostages and detainees.

• Body exchange: The remains of 16 deceased Israeli hostages would be returned in exchange for the remains of 160 Palestinians held by Israel.

In addition, the temporary ceasefire would include a pause in military operations, the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the delivery of shelter supplies for displaced civilians. A mechanism would be established to ensure aid reaches only civilians.

The Israeli military would also withdraw for a week from key areas, including Rafah in the south and parts of northern Gaza.

Hamas’ Response and Conditions

Despite reviewing the offer, Hamas has signaled resistance to certain provisions. The group maintains that any deal must include:

• A permanent end to Israeli military operations in Gaza.

• A rejection of disarmament demands.

• A complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, with no return after the truce period.

Negotiations on a lasting ceasefire would begin on the third day of the truce, with an agreement expected within 45 days. If successful, all remaining Israeli hostages — both alive and deceased — would be returned. If no agreement is reached by the end of the truce, it could be extended in exchange for additional prisoner releases.

Ongoing Mediation Efforts

A Hamas delegation met with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo over the weekend. Israel has not officially confirmed whether it sent negotiators.

The situation on the ground remains dire. Since early March, Israel has blocked the entry of food and aid into Gaza, worsening humanitarian conditions for the enclave’s two million residents. Over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since mid-March, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

Israel’s strategy to cut off aid coincided with the resumption of military operations — a move widely interpreted as a tactic to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a new deal.

Mounting Pressure on Israeli Leadership

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing domestic pressure from hostage families and members of the military to secure a deal. His office confirmed over the weekend that efforts are underway to finalize a new agreement.

Netanyahu recently spoke with the family of hostage Eitan Mor, providing updates on the ongoing negotiations. Groups like the Tikva Forum, which represent families of the hostages, confirmed that the talks include plans for the release of 10 captives.

Some reports also suggest that political maneuvering within the Israeli delegation has slowed progress. Critics have pointed to Netanyahu’s decision to replace seasoned national security negotiators with his close adviser Ron Dermer, frustrating international mediators and stalling talks.

Hamas Maintains Firm Line

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi reiterated the group's stance, stating that while they are open to any plan that halts aggression and ensures Israeli withdrawal, they will not accept what he described as a piecemeal “food-for-prisoners” arrangement.

The next few days will be critical in determining whether both sides can move from temporary truce to lasting peace — or whether the cycle of violence will resume once again.