Hamas Agrees To US Proposal On Gaza Ceasefire

A Hamas source said that the group had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal presented by mediators that reportedly involves the liberation of 10 hostages in two batches and a 70-day truce.

Hamas Agrees To US Proposal On Gaza Ceasefire

Source : X/Antonio Guterres

Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a truce in Gaza, multiple agencies reported.

A Hamas source said that the group had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal presented by mediators that reportedly involves the liberation of 10 hostages in two batches and a 70-day truce. Five Israeli captives will be released at the beginning of the ceasefire, while the other five will be freed on the 60th day.

The new proposal, which involved the release of ten hostages and 70 days of truce, was received by Hamas through mediators.

 

"The proposal includes the release of ten living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and a partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," a a Palestinian official told news agency Reuters.

 

The ceasefire proposal also includes the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds serving lengthy prison terms.

 

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he "hoped very much" he would be able to deliver developments on the subject of Israel’s fight against Hamas and releasing the captives held in Gaza "today and, if not today, then we will tomorrow”.

 

However, an unnamed Israeli official, quoted by Reuters, dismissed the announcement by saying "no responsible government could accept such an agreement".

 

Earlier on March 18, Israel had ended a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and renewed its military campaign in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would only be willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire in return for the release of hostages, vowing that war can only end once Hamas is eradicated.