Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, according to a statement by Khalil al-Hayya, the group’s chief. The proposal, delivered two days ago, was met with a positive response from Hamas, as reported in his televised address on Saturday, which coincided with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. Al-Hayya emphasized that the group had approved the offer but insisted that the “weapons of the resistance” remain a “red line,” implying that any ceasefire would not interfere with Hamas’s military capabilities.
This development follows a series of high-stakes negotiations. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim had revealed the growing momentum of ceasefire talks a day before, highlighting the intense diplomatic efforts amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Palestinian sources close to Hamas indicated that discussions between the group and the mediators began on Thursday evening, with hopes of reviving both a ceasefire and a deal for hostage releases. These talks come after a fragile truce collapsed on March 18 when Israel resumed airstrikes across Gaza.
Israel’s response to the ceasefire proposal has been cautious. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the receipt of the proposal and indicated that Israel had conveyed a counter-proposal to the mediators, in full coordination with the United States. However, no further details about the counter-proposal have been disclosed.
The ceasefire negotiations come amid escalating tensions, with Israel continuing its military operations. A few days prior, Netanyahu threatened to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas failed to release hostages, and Hamas retaliated by warning that captives would return “in coffins” if Israel’s bombings did not cease.
On the ground, the Israeli military confirmed the launch of “ground activity” in Rafah’s Jneina neighborhood as part of its efforts to expand the security zone in southern Gaza, further heightening the precarious situation.
As the situation remains fluid, the outcome of the ceasefire talks and the potential for de-escalation in Gaza hangs in the balance. The involvement of Egypt and Qatar as mediators underscores the ongoing regional diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict, but the continued military actions on both sides point to a volatile future.
Ceasefire-by-Joe-Flood-on-Flickr-CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0
