Hamas has responded to a US-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza, with the Palestinian militant group stating that its proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to its people. According to Hamas, the proposal includes releasing ten living Israeli prisoners and returning eighteen bodies in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
The US-backed proposal, approved by Israel, involves Hamas releasing 10 Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages in exchange for 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 Gazans detained since the war began. Negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire would begin immediately on the first day of the 60-day truce, allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza “immediately” and be distributed through agreed-upon channels, including the United Nations and the Red Crescent.
However, the draft agreement lacks a guarantee of a permanent end to the war, a key Hamas demand. US President Donald Trump is “committed to working to ensure that good faith negotiations continue until a final agreement is reached.” Hamas initially signaled reluctance to accept the terms, with Bassem Naim, a member of the Hamas political bureau, stating that the framework does “not respond to any of our people’s demands”.
Mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, are studying Hamas’ response, with the US evaluating the reply. The proposal has been met with skepticism, with some Hamas officials expressing wariness over Israel’s willingness to implement its terms, particularly provisions for a permanent end to fighting and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Key Points of the Proposal:
- Ceasefire Terms: 60-day truce with negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire
- Hostage Exchange: Release of 10 Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages in exchange for 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 Gazans detained since the war began
- Humanitarian Aid: Immediate entry and distribution of aid through agreed-upon channels, including the United Nations and the Red Crescent
- Permanent Ceasefire: Negotiations to begin immediately, with no intrinsic guarantee of a permanent end to the war