GAZA CITY: Hamas announced on Thursday that it has officially responded to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, following over two weeks of indirect negotiations held in Qatar that had not resulted in an agreement.
In a Telegram post, Hamas stated that it had submitted its response, as well as those of other Palestinian factions, to the mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the response had been received and was under review.
According to a Palestinian source close to the Doha negotiations, Hamas's reply included suggested changes regarding humanitarian aid access, maps showing Israeli troop withdrawal zones, and assurances for a permanent end to hostilities.
The discussions have been mediated indirectly, aiming to secure both a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages. Out of the 251 individuals abducted during the October 2023 Hamas assault, 49 remain in Gaza—27 of whom are believed dead, according to the Israeli military.
Despite weeks of talks, a deal remains elusive. Each side accuses the other of being inflexible. Israel insists on the complete dismantling of Hamas’s governance and military structures. Conversely, Hamas demands guarantees of a lasting truce, Israeli military withdrawal, and unrestricted aid entry into Gaza.
Israeli spokesman David Mencer claimed Hamas was stalling progress, saying Israel had already accepted previous proposals, including one updated by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Meanwhile, Witkoff is expected to continue diplomacy in Europe. Humanitarian groups have raised alarms about growing starvation risks in Gaza amid the deadlock.
