Hamas proposes a five-year ceasefire for Gaza, offering a one-time release of hostages as part of the agreement.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, is floating a peace proposal that could signal an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group's emissaries are currently engaging in talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo, seeking a resolution to the 18-month-long war.
While the battle rages on, rescuers reported over 35 casualties due to Israeli air strikes. The humanitarian situation has escalated drastically, with an eight-week-long Israeli blockade depleting food and medical supplies, as per U.N. reports.
Amidst the turmoil, a Hamas official confided to AFP, under conditions of anonymity, that the group is keen for a prisoner exchange and a five-year truce. The swap would involve the simultaneous release of all remaining Israeli hostages, taken during the October 7, 2023, attack[1][2]. However, specific terms regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel remain undefined.
The latest ceasefire initiative follows Israel's earlier proposal, which Hamas rejected as "partial." The Israeli offer, according to a high-ranking Hamas official, included a ceasefire lasting 45 days in exchange for the return of ten living hostages[1].
Traditionally, Hamas has demanded that any truce agreement must lead to an end to the war, complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and a surge in humanitarian aid. It is worth noting that earlier agreements, such as the May 2024 UN Security Council resolution-inspired three-stage deal, have not been explicitly mentioned in the current proposal.
In the past, Israel and Hamas followed a specific model for agreements. However, the current Hamas offer, as negotiated in April 2025, omits governance arrangements and long-term political solutions for Gaza[2]. Israel has yet to respond officially to this proposal as of April 26, 2025[1].
With each negotiation, the framework for ending the conflict in Gaza continues to evolve. Earlier UN-backed agreements pointed towards phased de-escalation, hinting at a dynamic negotiation landscape since 2024[3].
- Hamas is ready to negotiate a permanent peace agreement in Gaza, with a principal focus on a prisoner exchange and a five-year truce.
- The group's current proposal, discussed in April 2025, excludes long-term political solutions for Gaza and governance arrangements.
- The latest Hamas proposal follows Israeli rejections of previous agreements, such as the one proposed in May 2024, which included a three-stage deal inspired by a UN Security Council resolution.
- The discussions are ongoing between Hamas emissaries and Egyptian mediators in Cairo, with the hope that this round of talks will lead to a resolution in the 18-month-long war and end the weekly humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli blockade.
