Mediators Egypt and Qatar have conveyed a new Israeli ceasefire proposal to Hamas, according to Egypt’s state-linked Al Qahera News TV on Monday. However, a senior Hamas figure said at least two aspects of the offer are unacceptable to the group.
Citing sources, Al Qahera reported that mediators are awaiting Hamas’ official reply.
In a statement later the same day, Hamas confirmed it is reviewing the proposal and will deliver its response “as soon as possible.”
The group reaffirmed its primary demand that any ceasefire must include an end to the war in Gaza and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
Earlier, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the latest Israeli proposal falls short of Hamas’ demand for a full cessation of hostilities.
He also said that for the first time, Israel has proposed Hamas’ disarmament as part of the next phase of negotiations—an idea Hamas firmly rejects.
“Giving up the weapons of the resistance crosses a million red lines and is not up for consideration, let alone negotiation,” Abu Zuhri stated.
Israel has yet to publicly respond to the reported proposal.
According to Al Qahera, the head of Egypt’s state information service said, “Hamas knows very well the value of time now, and I believe its response to the Israeli proposal will be quick.”
Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza in March, ending a temporary ceasefire that had begun in late January.
The latest talks held Monday in Cairo aimed at reinstating the ceasefire and securing the release of Israeli hostages ended without progress, according to Palestinian and Egyptian sources.
Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli military withdrawal and a commitment to ending the war, in line with the terms laid out in a three-phase ceasefire plan agreed earlier this year.
Israel, on the other hand, maintains it will not stop the war until Hamas is dismantled and all remaining hostages are freed.
“Hamas is prepared to release all hostages at once in exchange for an end to the war and a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza,” said Abu Zuhri.
Since Israel restarted its offensive last month, over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The renewed fighting has also displaced hundreds of thousands and deepened the blockade on supplies entering the enclave.
Meanwhile, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas custody, with Israeli officials estimating that 24 are still alive.
