Hamas has officially informed Egyptian and Qatari mediators of its approval of a new proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages in two batches, a senior Hamas source told AFP on Monday.
The source, who requested anonymity, confirmed that Hamas, along with other Palestinian factions, submitted its agreement to the mediators in Cairo without requesting amendments.
According to a Palestinian source familiar with the talks, mediators offered guarantees that the agreement would be implemented, alongside a pledge to resume negotiations on a permanent solution.
The proposal follows the Israeli Security Cabinet’s approval of a plan to seize control of Gaza City, raising international fears of worsening hunger and the risk of famine in the besieged enclave.
A Palestinian official noted that the new proposal is based on a recent initiative by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which outlines a 60-day truce and the release of Israeli prisoners in two phases, while serving as a framework for indirect negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
Representatives of the Islamic Jihad movement confirmed the initiative includes releasing ten living Israeli hostages and returning several bodies during the truce, while negotiations continue for a more comprehensive agreement with international guarantees.
Delegations in Cairo emphasized their flexibility in pursuing the deal to prevent Israel’s plan to expand control over Gaza and to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also expressed support for the Egyptian proposal. Spokesman Munther al-Hayek urged Hamas to fully endorse the initiative to “stop the war of genocide” and prevent further displacement of Palestinians.
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