Hamas Accepts Ceasefire-Hostage Release Deal, Averting Imminent Israeli Offensive
On Monday, Hamas announced it had accepted a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal brokered by mediators, potentially delaying Israel’s planned military operation in Gaza City.
In a statement, the militant group said, “The Hamas movement and the Palestinian factions have agreed to the proposal presented yesterday by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.” Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate the deal includes a 60-day pause in fighting and the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The agreement comes as international mediators race to finalize terms before Israel launches its anticipated ground assault on Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to downplay Hamas’s response, indicating that Israel intended to proceed with its strategy to seize control of the largest city in the Palestinian enclave and relocate its residents to the southern part of Gaza. “It is evident that Hamas is facing tremendous pressure,” Netanyahu stated.
An Israeli official later clarified that Jerusalem’s stance on a comprehensive agreement remains firm. “Israel’s position is unchanged both on the release of all hostages and on fulfilling the other conditions set for ending the war,” the official said in a statement.
The proposal agreed to on Monday by Hamas would see the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners during a 60-day truce, the diplomat said, adding that the deal will also see the release of bodies of slain hostages.
Israel received the proposal on Monday evening, but officials in Jerusalem stressed that they are no longer open to partial agreements. They reiterated that the war will only end if Hamas agrees to release all hostages at once, along with meeting the other outlined conditions.
According to an Arab diplomat, the latest proposal — similar to the one drafted earlier this year by US special envoy Steve Witkoff — envisions that talks on the terms of a permanent ceasefire would begin at the outset of a 60-day truce, with mediators aiming to finalize an agreement by the time the two-month pause ends.
A diplomatic source cited by Axios noted that the deal Hamas has now accepted is “98% identical” to the Witkoff plan, which Hamas had rejected just last month.
