Hamas says it has accepted a new Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing conflict. The draft deal, approved by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s most senior leader outside Gaza, proposes the release of five hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire.
The latest offer comes a fortnight after the collapse of an earlier truce brokered by President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden in January. Its collapse has led to heightened tensions and further Israeli military incursions into Gaza.
The proposal appears to have been timed to coincide with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, potentially offering a symbolic pause in hostilities. Hamas’s conditions include a return to the first-phase ceasefire terms, such as the entry of humanitarian aid and a commitment to negotiate a second phase.
During the initial truce earlier this year, Hamas released 33 hostages, but 59 remain in captivity, though not all are believed to be alive. The group had previously demanded a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war—terms that stalled earlier talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, responded with a counter-proposal, said to have been crafted in coordination with the United States. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that consultations took place on 28 March, culminating in the submission of Israel’s revised plan to mediators. While details remain undisclosed, an Israeli official indicated the counter-offer seeks a ceasefire extending through Passover, along with talks for a long-term resolution. The proposal bears similarities to a plan presented weeks ago by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which Hamas had rejected.
The renewed diplomatic push follows a breakdown on 18 March, when Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza, accusing Hamas of flouting the terms of the initial ceasefire. Renewed hostilities have led to nearly 1,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Israel also halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza, with Netanyahu warning that his troops would remain in Gaza until all hostages were released. The move has faced widespread global criticism; in Israel too, many have questioned the decision, accusing the prime minister of endangering the lives of the hostages by prioritising his political survival. A recent Hamas video featuring hostage Elkana Bohbot underscored their plight, while the group confirmed that American-Israeli Edan Alexander is among the five slated for release.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the prospect of any releases but urged a comprehensive deal to free all 59 captives immediately, questioning the limited scope of the proposal. Meanwhile, Hamas claims it has engaged “positively” with the mediators and adhered to prior terms, urging Israel not to obstruct progress. Reports suggest Hamas also seeks a brief truce to quell growing anti-Hamas protests within Gaza.
Since the conflict reignited following Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, Gaza’s health authorities report 50,277 Palestinians killed and 1.1 lakh injured. Intensive talks involving Qatar and the US continue, with Washington pressing Hamas via third parties for Alexander’s release as a gesture to President Donald Trump.