Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire plan for Gaza and conveyed its response to international mediators, raising hopes for an end to more than 22 months of fighting.
Senior Hamas leader Bassam Naeem confirmed the group’s decision in a statement posted on Facebook, saying, “The organization has submitted its response and agreed to the new proposal of the mediators. We pray to Allah to end this war imposed on our people.”
According to a Hamas source cited by AFP, the group accepted the plan “without any modification.”
The proposal, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with support from the United States, has now been passed on to Israel. Egypt’s foreign ministry said the matter was “in Israel’s court,” though Israel has yet to issue an official response.
A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said mediators are expected to formally announce the agreement soon and set a date for talks to resume. The source added that assurances have been given to ensure the deal’s implementation, with efforts aimed at reaching a permanent solution.
Egyptian state media reported that the plan includes an initial 60-day ceasefire, a partial release of hostages, the release of some Palestinian prisoners, and increased entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The new push for peace follows Israel’s recent decision to intensify military operations in Gaza City and surrounding refugee camps, a move that drew widespread international criticism and sparked opposition within Israel itself.
The conflict began in October 2023 after a Hamas attack left 1,219 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Of those hostages, 49 remain in Gaza, with the Israeli military declaring 27 of them dead.
Since then, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, according to Palestinian health officials. Most of the casualties are civilians, including large numbers of women and children.
Israel is under growing international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, along with other international experts, have described Israel’s actions as genocide.
