Hamas accepts U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal, raising hopes for end to Gaza war

Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters on Monday, potentially paving the way toward ending the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The proposed agreement, delivered to Hamas via mediators, outlines the release of 10 Israeli hostages in two phases in exchange for a 70-day truce and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

“The deal includes the release of ten living Israeli hostages in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and partial pullback of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip,” the source explained.

Additionally, the proposal calls for Israel to release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds currently serving long-term sentences.

Israel has not issued an official response to the proposal.

The latest development follows Israel’s resumption of military operations in Gaza on March 18, effectively ending a previous ceasefire agreement brokered in January. Hamas and its allies resumed rocket fire two days later.

Hamas has indicated it is prepared to release all remaining hostages captured during the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel and agree to a permanent ceasefire, provided Israel fully withdraws from Gaza.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that Israel will only agree to a temporary truce in exchange for the hostages and insists that the war must continue until Hamas is dismantled.

The current conflict began after Hamas militants carried out a deadly cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Since then, Israel’s air and ground campaign in Gaza has resulted in nearly 54,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, and has left much of the territory in ruins. Humanitarian organizations report widespread malnutrition and worsening conditions across the strip.