Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have submitted a revised Israeli ceasefire proposal to Hamas, sparking cautious deliberation from the Palestinian group amid continued conflict in Gaza.
The latest offer, revealed by Egypt’s Al Qahera News on Monday, is still being evaluated by Hamas, which said it will deliver a response “as soon as possible.” However, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri immediately flagged major sticking points.
“Handing over the resistance’s weapons is a million red lines and is not subject to consideration, let alone discussion,” Abu Zuhri said in a Reuters report, firmly rejecting Israel’s condition for Hamas’ disarmament in future negotiations. He also criticized the proposal for failing to commit to a total cessation of hostilities.
Hamas reiterated its stance that any agreement must include a permanent end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. “Hamas is ready to hand over the hostages in one batch in exchange for the end of war and the withdrawal of Israeli military” from Gaza, Abu Zuhri added.
The Egyptian state information service told Al Qahera that Hamas “knows very well the value of time now and I believe that its response to the Israeli proposal will be quick.”
There has been no official comment yet from the Israeli government regarding the new proposal.
The recent talks in Cairo ended without a breakthrough. Hostilities resumed in March after a brief truce earlier in the year collapsed. According to Gaza health officials, more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive resumed, with massive displacement and severe shortages due to a supply blockade.
Currently, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, though Israel believes only 24 of them are still alive.