Hamas Offers Four-and-a-Half-Month Ceasefire Proposal in Ongoing Gaza Conflict

The militant group Hamas has put forward a ceasefire proposal for a period of four-and-a-half months in an attempt to quell the violence in Gaza. The terms include the release of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and reaching an agreement to end the war. This proposal comes in response to an offer from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, which was cleared by Israel and the United States. However, Israel has indicated that some of Hamas's demands are unacceptable without providing specific details.

Hamas's offer, outlined in a document seen by Reuters and confirmed by sources, appears to modify its longstanding demand for a complete end to the war as a precondition for releasing hostages seized in a raid on October 7. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after meeting with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, discussed the proposal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Hamas counterproposal does not initially require a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire but suggests that an end to the war would need to be agreed upon during the truce before the final release of hostages. Hamas seeks assurances from friendly states, including Qatar and Egypt, that the ceasefire will be upheld and not collapse immediately after the release of hostages.

Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, confirmed that the offer had been conveyed via Egypt and Qatar to Israel and the United States. The proposed plan involves a phased approach, releasing specific groups of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and gradually implementing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza began after militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on October 7. The proposal aims to address the complexities of the situation, with pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from far-right members of his coalition government demanding the eradication of Hamas and from families of hostages seeking a deal for their return. The United States positions the hostage and truce deal as part of broader plans for a comprehensive resolution of the Middle East conflict, including reconciliation between Israel and its Arab neighbors and the establishment of a Palestinian state.