Hamas submits response to Gaza ceasefire proposal; Israel studies it

CAIRO – 24 July 2025: Hamas submitted on Wednesday its response and that of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, while Israel announced that it will study the response.

Al-Qahera News reported that Hamas’s response includes its stance on the redeployment of Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip and the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released. The channel also added that Intensive Egyptian efforts are underway between all parties to quickly reach a temporary truce in the Gaza Strip, in parallel with ongoing efforts to bring in aid.

It has been reported by several Israeli media outlets that tangible progress has been made to reach a 60-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Saudi channel “Al-Sharq” cited two sources close to the ongoing ceasefire talks that Hamas demanded changes to the Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza during the temporary 60-day ceasefire. 

The sources added that Hamas's response included confirmation that Israeli forces should withdraw to a point close to the status quo under the temporary truce agreement of January 19.

Hamas also demanded an emphasis on the Israeli military's withdrawal from the main Salah al-Din Road, including the Morag and Netzarim axes. Security personnel from a private American company, in coordination with Egypt and Qatar, would be assigned to manage the Netzarim checkpoint for all types of vehicles, besides a complete Israeli withdrawal from all residential areas, according to the source.

The source further confirmed that Hamas's response stipulated that the presence of Israeli forces should not exceed 800 meters in the eastern border areas (from Rafah in the south to Beit Hanoun in the north) and the northern border areas (from Beit Hanoun in the northeast to the Sudanese area in the northwest) of the Gaza Strip.

As for the deal on the prisoner swap, the sources said that Hamas demanded an increase in the number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees serving life sentences and long prison terms for every living Israeli soldier held captive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on X: “The mediators have relayed Hamas's response to the Israeli negotiation team; it is currently being evaluated.”

The mediators have relayed Hamas's response to the Israeli negotiation team; it is currently being evaluated.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 24, 2025

Egypt, Qatar, and the US have intensified their mediating efforts to communicate a recent 60-day ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas.