Hamas responds to Israel’s Gaza ceasefire proposal

Doha: Hamas announced today that it has submitted its response to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, including proposed amendments on aid entry, withdrawal maps, and guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.

The group’s statement, posted on Telegram, confirmed that the response was shared with mediators and Palestinian factions involved in ongoing indirect negotiations in Doha.

Negotiators are working to reach an agreement that would facilitate the release of Israeli hostages—out of 251 taken during Hamas’s 2023 attack, 49 remain in Gaza, with 27 believed dead by Israeli authorities. Despite over two weeks of talks, progress remains elusive, with both sides blaming each other for stagnation.

Israel insists on dismantling Hamas’s military and governing structures as non-negotiable, while Hamas demands guarantees for a lasting ceasefire, full Israeli troop withdrawal, and the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza.

Israeli spokesperson David Mencer accused Hamas of obstructing negotiations, stating that Israel has accepted proposals from Qatar and US envoy Steve Witkoff, but Hamas continues to refuse. The US announced that Witkoff will travel to Europe for further talks on a ceasefire and aid corridors.

Meanwhile, over 100 aid organizations warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with fears of mass starvation spreading across Gaza.