According to U.S. media outlet CNN, on Friday, Hamas informed mediators through official correspondence that it is ready for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel.
Israel had already agreed to a ceasefire earlier.
With both sides now prepared, a path has opened to halt the long-standing attacks in Gaza. Countries including the United States and several Middle Eastern nations had been making efforts toward this for a long time.
On Friday, Hamas issued a statement declaring that its group is ready for an immediate ceasefire.
“We have submitted a positive response to the mediators regarding the ceasefire. Hamas is ready to enter immediate negotiations to implement the framework,” the statement said.
Palestinian-American negotiator Bishara Bahbah, who has been in direct talks with Hamas, praised the group’s move and stated that the end of the long-running war is now very close.
According to him, Hamas has sent some revisions to the terms of the ceasefire.
“But we believe this will not prevent reaching a ceasefire agreement,” he said.
Israeli officials also confirmed that Hamas had responded positively to the proposed draft ceasefire agreement with some revisions. They stated that the revisions would not derail the ceasefire.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas has proposed to hand over 10 hostages and the bodies of 18 others to Israel.
On the first day, Hamas will release 8 hostages. In exchange, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. However, the exact number of prisoners to be released by Israel has not been confirmed yet.
The remaining hostages will be released on dates set by Israel, according to the proposal.
This time, Hamas has proposed not to hold any public ceremonies during the release of hostages.
In previous instances, Hamas fighters—many masked—had celebrated and chanted slogans during large-scale hostage releases.
Although an agreement was reached in March for a ceasefire leading to permanent peace, it collapsed after 45 days when the second phase of the ceasefire was not implemented.
Hamas has prioritized the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The new proposal includes plans to hold negotiations and discussions during the 60-day ceasefire with the aim of establishing a permanent peace.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also emphasized the importance of lasting peace in Gaza. CNN reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday, where he is expected to discuss the matter with Trump.
During the 12-day Israel-Iran war, Qatar made a strong push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
While global attention was focused on Iran, Israeli forces carried out intensive military operations in Gaza, reportedly killing nearly 1,500 Palestinians during that period alone.
The ceasefire terms were drafted by Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and have already been accepted by Israel.
Talks between the two sides are expected to begin soon, and an official ceasefire announcement is likely.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel and took 249 people hostage, transporting them to Gaza. Since then, several hostages have been released during previous ceasefires. It is believed that Hamas still holds around 50 hostages, although approximately 25 of them are reported to have died.
Among the hostages held by Hamas is Bipin Joshi from Nepal.
As the Israel-Hamas war nears its two-year mark, nearly 57,000 people are reported to have been killed in Gaza.
