Hamas and allied Palestinian resistance factions have formally accepted a 60-day ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, according to senior officials and multiple media reports.

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The plan, which includes military redeployments, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian guarantees, is now awaiting a formal response from Israel, whose position remains uncertain amid internal divisions and ongoing military operations.

The ceasefire framework calls for:

• A 1,000-meter withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern and eastern Gaza, excluding Shuja’iyya and Beit Lahia, with adjustments to military redeployment maps.
• A prisoner exchange involving the release of 140 Palestinians serving life sentences, 60 serving more than 15 years, and all detained women and children.
• An exchange of remains, with 10 Palestinian bodies returned for each deceased Israeli.
• Immediate entry of humanitarian aid, including fuel, water, electricity, hospital and bakery rehabilitation, and equipment to clear rubble, coordinated by the UN, Red Crescent, and other international agencies.
• Reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, under previously agreed terms.

The plan, based on a U.S.-backed initiative by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is seen as a first phase toward a comprehensive resolution. It includes a 60-day suspension of hostilities, during which negotiations would continue for a permanent ceasefire and postwar guarantees for Gaza’s future.

While Israeli officials have received the proposal, there has been no formal response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated demands for the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and Israeli security control over Gaza. These conditions remain red lines for Hamas, which insists on a full withdrawal and lasting ceasefire before releasing the remaining hostages.

Public pressure is mounting. On Sunday, nearly 500,000 Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding a deal to end the war and secure the release of hostages. Families of captives have urged the government to act swiftly, fearing that further military escalation could endanger their loved ones.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, violence continues. Israeli forces have advanced into Gaza City’s Sabra suburb, and airstrikes have killed at least 11 people in the past 24 hours. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 62,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, with more than 153,000 wounded, most of them women and children.

UN agencies warn that Gaza is sliding into famine, with deliberate starvation tactics alleged by rights groups. The ceasefire proposal includes intensive aid delivery, but previous agreements have been violated unilaterally, raising concerns about implementation.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed the group’s acceptance, stating: “We pray that God extinguishes the fires of this war on our people.” He warned, however, that Israel has broken similar commitments in the past, and emphasized that humanitarian aid is not a bargaining chip, but a legal obligation under international law.

Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are expected to meet again this week, possibly with U.S. envoy Witkoff, to push for final approval and implementation. The Rafah crossing, seized by Israel in May 2024, remains closed, complicating logistics for aid and evacuation.

If Israel rejects the proposal or delays its response, analysts warn of a renewed offensive in Gaza City, which could displace hundreds of thousands more and derail the fragile diplomatic momentum. Netanyahu has hinted at a “turning point” in the war, suggesting intensified operations may be imminent.

Global leaders have cautiously welcomed Hamas’ acceptance and urged Israel to respond constructively. The European Union, Arab League, and African Union have all called for restraint and a durable peace. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session later this week.

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