Hamas agrees to new Gaza ceasefire proposal from mediators but Israel presents counterplan

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

-

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 - 02:51 GMT

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 - 02:51 GMT

Palestinians walk across the rubble in Gaza amid the Israeli war – WAFA/FILE

Palestinians walk across the rubble in Gaza amid the Israeli war – WAFA/FILE

CAIRO – 30 March 2025: Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya announced that the movement has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza recently presented by mediators amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.

In television remarks, Hayya expressed hope that Israel would not obstruct the proposal.

However, he emphasized that Hamas will not lay down its arms as long as the Israeli occupation continues, describing the movement’s arsenal as a "red line."

Hayya stressed that Hamas has adhered to all terms of the ceasefire agreement, despite repeated violations by Israeli occupation forces.

He stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has evaded commitments for an entire year and thwarted all mediation attempts to reach an agreement.

Hayya added that Tel Aviv has continued to procrastinate and evade its obligations under the agreement to save Netanyahu's government.

NEW RELEASES

The proposal, reportedly presented by Egypt, suggests the release of five captives still held by Hamas in Gaza, including American-Israeli Edan Alexander, in exchange for a further ceasefire, a source told CNN.

The initiative aims to allow the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza and establish an agreement for negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire, according to the source.

Security sources told Reuters on Thursday that Egypt has received positive indications from Israel regarding the proposal, which includes a transitional phase.

According to these sources, Hamas will release five captives each week.

Meanwhile, Israel has responded to the offer with a counterplan.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a series of consultations yesterday following a proposal received from the mediators,” his office stated. “In recent hours, Israel has transferred its counterproposal to the mediators in full coordination with the United States.”

RENEWED ATTACKS

On 18 March, Israel renewed airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, shattering a ceasefire that had lasted for two weeks and allowed for the release of dozens of captives held by Hamas, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The recent Israeli attacks have killed over 920 deaths, including hundreds of women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. This brings the total death toll since the onset of the war in 2023 to nearly 50,300.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, took effect on January 19.

The renewed Israeli assaults interrupted ongoing talks between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by the mediators, aimed at achieving permanent calm across the war-battered enclave.

During the talks, Hamas previously rejected a US-Israeli proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which would allow for the release of more captives in exchange for a further extension of the ceasefire and the entry of aid to Gaza.

Instead, Hamas has advocated for a transition to the second phase of the ceasefire, as stipulated in the original agreement, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the war, and the release of all captives.

Hamas still holds 59 captives in Gaza, including at least 22 believed to be alive. The movement has affirmed its willingness to release all captives in one go in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Following the resumption of Israeli strikes, Hamas warned of the impact of these operations on the safety of the captives.

“The [Israeli] occupation must realize that this aggression represents a death sentence for the remaining captives in the Gaza Strip,” the movement stated on 18 March.

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