Hamas Considers Israel's Ceasefire Proposal Amid 'Significant Gaps'
Hamas announced on Monday evening that it is currently reviewing a new ceasefire proposal from Israel, which was relayed by Egypt and Qatar. However, Palestinian sources indicate that the chances of reaching a meaningful agreement are low due...
TroibNews 
Hamas announced on Monday evening that it is currently reviewing a new ceasefire proposal from Israel, which was relayed by Egypt and Qatar. However, Palestinian sources indicate that the chances of reaching a meaningful agreement are low due to ongoing differences between Hamas and Israel.
According to Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel, citing high-ranking Egyptian officials, Egypt and Qatar have conveyed the Israeli proposal to Hamas and are awaiting a prompt response.
An informed Hamas source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed to Xinhua that the proposal includes a 45-day temporary ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the Israeli hostages in its custody. The source mentioned that the Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, was taken aback by a clause concerning the disarmament of the group, which will not be entertained.
"Disarmament is not on the table and will not be discussed, now or in the future," stated the source, emphasizing that any potential agreement must start with "a cessation of the Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip."
The source further noted that Hamas indicated its readiness to release nine Israeli hostages initially, but only if there were a complete halt to hostilities, a request that Israel has not agreed to.
On Sunday, the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo at the request of Egyptian officials for discussions.
In contrast, Israel's Channel 11 reported that while Israel is willing to compromise on some points, it will not enter into any agreement that compromises its objectives in the conflict. An Israeli official mentioned that Israel remains firm on limiting Hamas's military capabilities and ensuring any ceasefire leads to disarmament.
Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Kan reported that Israel proposed, through intermediaries, the release of hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, in exchange for U.S. guarantees to move forward with subsequent ceasefire discussions. As part of the proposal, a 45-day pause in fighting, conditional humanitarian aid access, and the repositioning of Israeli forces to pre-March 2 locations were suggested.
Despite ongoing mediation attempts by Egypt and Qatar, sources close to Hamas indicated that "significant gaps" still exist between the two sides. While mediation efforts continue, a clear path to a truce has yet to materialize, as noted by a Hamas source.
In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation remains dire amid ongoing military actions. Security sources reported that Israeli air strikes targeted multiple areas in Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces east of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, asserting they inflicted casualties.
Although the Israeli army has not officially commented on the incident, Hebrew media indicated that two Israeli soldiers were seriously injured and airlifted for medical treatment.
Civilians in Gaza continue to suffer greatly from the conflict. Nader Abdul Karim, a displaced resident from Gaza City currently living in a UNRWA shelter in Deir al-Balah, shared his disappointment: "We had hoped this round of talks would result in a truce, but our hopes are fading."
"Every day, we fear becoming part of the rising death toll," he expressed.
Similarly, Salha Abu Rahmi, a displaced woman from Beit Hanoun, remarked, "The negotiations are happening far from us, and every time they fail, we face more bombing. We are the ones paying the price."
In Khan Younis, resident Oday Abu Zeid voiced his concerns, stating, "If this war does not end soon, more families will be wiped out. Every failed round of talks means more suffering."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
According to Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel, citing high-ranking Egyptian officials, Egypt and Qatar have conveyed the Israeli proposal to Hamas and are awaiting a prompt response.
An informed Hamas source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed to Xinhua that the proposal includes a 45-day temporary ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the Israeli hostages in its custody. The source mentioned that the Hamas delegation, led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, was taken aback by a clause concerning the disarmament of the group, which will not be entertained.
"Disarmament is not on the table and will not be discussed, now or in the future," stated the source, emphasizing that any potential agreement must start with "a cessation of the Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip."
The source further noted that Hamas indicated its readiness to release nine Israeli hostages initially, but only if there were a complete halt to hostilities, a request that Israel has not agreed to.
On Sunday, the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo at the request of Egyptian officials for discussions.
In contrast, Israel's Channel 11 reported that while Israel is willing to compromise on some points, it will not enter into any agreement that compromises its objectives in the conflict. An Israeli official mentioned that Israel remains firm on limiting Hamas's military capabilities and ensuring any ceasefire leads to disarmament.
Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Kan reported that Israel proposed, through intermediaries, the release of hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, in exchange for U.S. guarantees to move forward with subsequent ceasefire discussions. As part of the proposal, a 45-day pause in fighting, conditional humanitarian aid access, and the repositioning of Israeli forces to pre-March 2 locations were suggested.
Despite ongoing mediation attempts by Egypt and Qatar, sources close to Hamas indicated that "significant gaps" still exist between the two sides. While mediation efforts continue, a clear path to a truce has yet to materialize, as noted by a Hamas source.
In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian situation remains dire amid ongoing military actions. Security sources reported that Israeli air strikes targeted multiple areas in Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces east of the Shuja'iyya neighborhood, asserting they inflicted casualties.
Although the Israeli army has not officially commented on the incident, Hebrew media indicated that two Israeli soldiers were seriously injured and airlifted for medical treatment.
Civilians in Gaza continue to suffer greatly from the conflict. Nader Abdul Karim, a displaced resident from Gaza City currently living in a UNRWA shelter in Deir al-Balah, shared his disappointment: "We had hoped this round of talks would result in a truce, but our hopes are fading."
"Every day, we fear becoming part of the rising death toll," he expressed.
Similarly, Salha Abu Rahmi, a displaced woman from Beit Hanoun, remarked, "The negotiations are happening far from us, and every time they fail, we face more bombing. We are the ones paying the price."
In Khan Younis, resident Oday Abu Zeid voiced his concerns, stating, "If this war does not end soon, more families will be wiped out. Every failed round of talks means more suffering."
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
