Hamas to respond to ceasefire proposal in Gaza within 2 days
Hamas will respond in the next two days to the Israeli side’s new proposal regarding settlement in the Gaza Strip, Asharq News reports.
As noted, the movement’s leadership is currently “conducting internal consultations regarding the new proposal,” and their response will be presented to the mediators “within the next 48 hours.” It is also mentioned that the movement “will not accept any initiative or decision that does not include a clause for a complete and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza.”
Regarding the release of hostages held in the enclave, a Hamas representative stated that they have “no problem with the number of people who can be handed over to the Israeli side as part of an overall agreement, if such an agreement is reached.”
Last night, Hamas confirmed that the movement had received a ceasefire proposal from Gaza’s mediators and is reviewing the document. According to Al Hadath, one of the conditions put forth by the Israeli side is the disarmament of Hamas.
As previously reported by the Maan news agency, Israel has offered to restore the ceasefire following the release of 10 hostages in the enclave as part of an updated agreement. The Jewish state is discussing a 45-day ceasefire during which Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from areas they occupied during the Israeli Defense Forces’ operation that began in mid-March. During this period, several crossings will be opened along the enclave’s border to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged population. According to Egyptian representatives mediating the negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli side, the currently discussed agreements “could lead to the release of 11 living hostages and the transfer of the bodies of 16 killed hostages in Gaza.”
On March 18, the Israeli army resumed hostilities in the Gaza Strip, launching extensive strikes on the enclave and thus violating the ceasefire established in January. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office explained this by stating that Hamas had rejected proposals made by mediators and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during negotiations, noting that the operation’s aim is to free all hostages. Hamas blames Israel and the U.S. for the resumption of military operations.
