In a pivotal moment amid escalating tensions, Hamas announced its acceptance of a newly proposed ceasefire agreement brokered by mediators, while Israel swiftly responded with a counter-proposal, intensifying diplomatic maneuvering over the conflict in Gaza.
Hamas Greenlights Mediators’ Proposal, Calls on Israel Not to Obstruct | Middle East Peace Talks
Khalil al-Haya, a senior Hamas official, declared on Saturday that the Palestinian Islamist group had agreed to terms outlined by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
“Two days ago, we received a proposal from our Egyptian and Qatari mediator brothers. We... have approved it. We hope that the occupation (Israel) will not stand in the way,” Al-Haya announced in a televised speech marking Eid al-Fitr, the festival concluding the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Reaffirming Hamas' stance, he issued a stark warning: "The weapons of the resistance are a red line."
Israel Responds with Counter-Proposal in Coordination with the U.S. | Netanyahu Ceasefire Response
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a series of high-level consultations regarding the mediators' proposal. In a statement, his office confirmed that Israel had transmitted its own counter-proposal to mediators, crafted in full coordination with the United States. No specifics on the Israeli terms were disclosed.
Talks Intensify Amid Continued Military Strikes | Israel-Hamas Negotiations
Negotiations to restore a ceasefire have gained momentum, even as Israeli military operations persist in the densely populated Gaza Strip. On Friday, Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas' political bureau, noted that discussions were deepening, with renewed engagement between Hamas and mediators.
Palestinian sources close to Hamas told AFP that high-level talks commenced Thursday evening in Doha, where Egyptian and Qatari mediators met with Hamas representatives to explore pathways for a ceasefire and a possible agreement to release hostages seized in the group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
The previous truce, which had briefly provided a semblance of calm to the region, collapsed on March 18, when Israel resumed its bombardment of Gaza, plunging the enclave back into conflict.