Hamas Agrees to Ceasefire Proposal; US and Israel Reject Offer

 

Hamas has reportedly accepted a US-brokered proposal for a 60-day truce in Gaza, along with the release of 10 captives, according to Al Jazeera sources. However, both US and Israeli officials have dismissed the claim, labeling the terms as “unacceptable.”
Key Points of the Proposed Deal


Ceasefire Duration: 60 days.


Captive Releases: Ten captives in Gaza to be freed in two stages.


Humanitarian Aid: Unconditional entry of aid from day one.


US Involvement: President Donald Trump would guarantee the terms, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Despite these terms, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli officials denied the proposal’s legitimacy, with Witkoff calling it "disappointing" and "unacceptable."
Ongoing Bombardment and Rising Casualties

Israeli forces continue their heavy attacks on Gaza, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.


Monday’s Toll: At least 81 Palestinians, including children, were killed.


Overall Deaths: Gaza health officials report 53,977 fatalities and over 122,000 wounded since the renewed offensive began.


Humanitarian Crisis: The blockade and bombardment have left Gaza on the brink of famine, with only 170 aid trucks entering in recent weeks—far short of the population’s needs.
Conflicting Positions on Ceasefire
Hamas


Willing to free all captives in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.


Open to ceding Gaza control to an interim government under a $53 billion Arab League reconstruction plan.


Rejects displacement, disarmament, or leadership exile as long as Israeli occupation persists.
Israel


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains adamant about achieving “total victory.”


New demands include returning captives, disarming Hamas, exiling its leaders, and implementing Trump’s widely criticized Gaza plan.


Netanyahu vowed to recover all captives, saying, “If not today, then tomorrow.”
US Position

Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett reported that Washington is pushing for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate partial exchanges of captives, hoping it might lead to broader peace talks.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary reported from Gaza’s Deir el-Balah:


Palestinians face relentless strikes on homes, schools, and so-called humanitarian zones.


Families struggle to secure even one meal, with aid supplies insufficient to meet basic needs.


“All eyes are on Doha,” Khoudary noted, as the truce discussions offer a glimmer of hope amid devastation.