Hamas agrees to new Gaza ceasefire proposal after 23 months of war
Hamas agrees to new Gaza ceasefire proposal after nearly 23 months of war that has devastated the Gaza Strip and displaced millions. A senior Hamas source confirmed to AFP that the group, along with other Palestinian factions, accepted the latest truce plan presented by international mediators without demanding any amendments. The development is being seen as a potential turning point after months of failed negotiations.
Sources familiar with the talks revealed that mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are expected to announce the agreement formally and set a date for further negotiations. The proposal includes international guarantees for implementation, ensuring that both parties remain engaged in dialogue toward a permanent end to the conflict.
The plan involves a 60-day ceasefire and a phased hostage release. According to Islamic Jihad, during the first stage, 10 Israeli hostages would be released alive along with the bodies of several others. The second stage would see the release of the remaining captives, followed immediately by broader talks for a lasting truce backed by international assurances.
Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the ongoing conflict, leaving 1,219 people dead and 251 hostages taken. Of those, 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 presumed dead, according to the Israeli military. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. Humanitarian conditions remain dire, with shortages of food, medicine, and shelter threatening millions.
Israel has yet to issue an official response to the acceptance of the ceasefire. However, international pressure is mounting on both sides to end the bloodshed. Aid agencies warn that the Gaza crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with famine-like conditions in several areas.
The confirmation that Hamas agrees to new Gaza ceasefire proposal has sparked cautious optimism. Mediators hope it will pave the way toward a permanent solution, but the fragility of past truces raises concerns about whether this deal will hold. Still, for the people of Gaza, even a temporary pause in fighting represents a critical lifeline.
FAQs
1. What is the new Gaza ceasefire proposal?
The proposal calls for a 60-day truce, a phased release of Israeli hostages, and further negotiations for a permanent ceasefire with international guarantees.
2. Did Hamas accept the ceasefire plan without changes?
Yes, Hamas confirmed that it agreed to the proposal without requesting any amendments, marking a rare consensus with other Palestinian factions.
3. What role are mediators playing in this deal?
Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are mediating the agreement, providing guarantees for implementation and pushing for long-term peace.
4. How many hostages remain in Gaza?
Out of 251 hostages taken in October 2023, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
5. What is the humanitarian situation in Gaza now?
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe, with over 62,000 Palestinians killed and millions facing shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter.
