Hamas Proposes Long-term Ceasefire and Hostage Release
Hamas proposes a five-year cessation of hostilities with Israel.
In a surprising turn of events, radical Palestine-based group Hamas has proposed a five-year truce to kickstart peace talks. This agreement, according to Hamas representatives, would include the release of all Israeli hostages currently in their custody. These talks, held in Egypt, could potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Despite this offer, Hamas remains firm in its refusal to disarm, drawing a clear line in the sand. The United Nations has reported critical food and medicine shortages throughout the Gaza Strip due to weeks of Israeli blockade on aid deliveries.
Hamas' Renewed Offer for a Ceasefire
Hamas is willing to sign a deal that encompasses a prisoner exchange and a lengthy ceasefire. Under this agreement, all Israeli hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. These discussions have been ongoing in Cairo, with Egyptian mediators facilitating talks between Hamas representatives and other parties involved.
On Friday, a high-ranking Hamas representative had announced that the delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya would discuss the "vision of Hamas for an end to the war" with representatives of Egypt.
Israel's War Proposals Rejected
Egypt, along with the USA and Qatar, brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which went into effect on January 19. Following the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel requested an extension of the first phase, rather than moving forward with the planned second phase of a long-term cessation of hostilities.
When negotiations failed to reach an agreement, Israel resumed its relentless bombing campaign on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and launched a new ground offensive two months later. Israel has also been blocking all aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip since March 2. Efforts to achieve a new ceasefire have so far proven unsuccessful.
Last week, Hamas dismissed an Israeli proposal that would have provided a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten living Israeli hostages.
Hamas' Persistent Demands for Guarantees
Hamas has consistently demanded that any new ceasefire agreement must include the full withdrawal of the Israeli army and sufficient aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip to signal an end to the war that has been raging for 18 months. Hamas representative Mahmoud Mardawi stressed that they will insist on guarantees regarding the end of the war this time.
Israeli officials have previously accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, leading to civilian casualties. The ongoing confrontations have claimed the lives of over 51,000 Palestinians and approximately 1200 Israelis since the conflict began in October 2023.
Meanwhile, food reserves in the Gaza Strip are rapidly depleting, with the World Food Programme warning that soup kitchens may run out of food within days. These shortages have caused lines to form at food distribution points throughout the region.
- Gaza Strip
- Israel War
- Israel
- Hostage-Takings
- Palestine
- Palestinians
- Ceasefire
- Negotiations
- Aid Blockade
- Conflict
- The proposed five-year truce by Hamas, discussed in Egypt, aims to end the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, including the release of all Israeli hostages in Palestinian custody.
- The United Nations has reported critical food and medicine shortages in the Gaza Strip due to weeks of Israeli blockade on aid deliveries.
- Last week, Hamas dismissed an Israeli proposal that would have provided a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten living Israeli hostages.
- The World Food Programme has warned that soup kitchens in the Gaza Strip may run out of food within days, causing lines to form at food distribution points throughout the region.
