CAIRO — Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza that was presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar two days ago, according to the Palestinian militant group’s leader on Saturday.
“Two days ago, we received a proposal from the mediators in Egypt and Qatar. We dealt with it positively and accepted it,” Khalil al-Hayya said in a televised address.
Hayya, who leads Hamas’ negotiating team in the indirect ceasefire discussions with Israel, expressed hope that the agreement would not be jeopardized. “We hope that the (Israeli) occupation will not undermine (it),” he said.
Phased Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange
Security sources informed Reuters on Thursday that Egypt had received promising indications from Israel regarding the latest ceasefire proposal. The plan reportedly includes a phased approach, beginning with Hamas releasing five Israeli hostages each week.
Israel’s prime minister’s office confirmed it had held consultations on the proposal submitted by mediators. “Israel has conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the United States,” the office stated. However, it did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether Israel had agreed to the truce terms.
Ceasefire Implementation and Disarmament Concerns
The first phase of the ceasefire, implemented on January 19 after over a year of war, temporarily halted fighting. It also facilitated the release of some Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase of the deal aims to address the remaining hostages and negotiate an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas insists that any agreement must initiate this phase, while Israel has proposed extending the initial 42-day period.
In response to calls from Israel and the U.S. for Hamas to disarm, Hayya emphasized that the group’s military capabilities were non-negotiable. “The group’s arsenal was a red line and that it would not disarm as long as the ‘Israeli’ occupation exists,” he stated.
Ongoing Violence During Eid al-Fitr
Despite ceasefire discussions, violence persists in Gaza. On Sunday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported an Israeli airstrike that targeted a house and a tent sheltering displaced civilians. At least eight people, including five children, were killed during the attack, which coincided with the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
The airstrike occurred as both Israel and Hamas acknowledged receiving the latest truce proposal from mediators, an effort to halt hostilities during the holiday.
