Hamas says yes to Egyptian Peace Proposal: Israel responds with counter-offer

Hamas has reportedly accepted a new Gaza ceasefire plan drawn up by mediators Egypt and Qatar, bringing a glimmer of hope to the conflict. The draft agreement, endorsed by Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's most senior figure outside Gaza, calls for the release of five hostages in return for a 50-day ceasefire. The new offer follows two weeks since the breakdown of a previous ceasefire facilitated by President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden in January.

Terms of agreement

Its breakdown has resulted in increased tensions and additional Israeli military raids into Gaza. The offer seems to have been strategically made at the peak of Eid ul-Fitr celebrations, which could mean a symbolic lull in fighting. Hamas's terms of agreement are a return to the terms of the first-phase ceasefire, i.e., the passage of humanitarian relief and commitment to negotiate a second phase.

Israeli counter-offer

In the first truce of the year, Hamas had let 33 hostages go, but 59 were still being held, although it is not clear that all are alive. Previously, the group had insisted on a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a halt to the war the conditions that froze out previous negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in turn, made a counter-offer, reportedly designed in consultation with the United States. The office of Netanyahu confirmed consultations on 28 March, which ultimately resulted in submitting Israel's new plan to the mediators.

Fresh diplomatic efforts

Although details have not been released, an Israeli official said the counter-proposal asks for a ceasefire lasting through Passover, as well as negotiations toward a long-term settlement. The offer is similar to one made weeks earlier by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which was rejected by Hamas. The fresh diplomatic effort comes after a collapse on 18 March, when Israel struck throughout Gaza, blaming Hamas for disregarding the provisions of the original ceasefire. New fighting has claimed almost 1,000 lives, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported.

Humanitarian crisis

Israel also cut off all humanitarian aid to Gaza, with Netanyahu declaring that his troops would remain in Gaza until all the hostages were released. The action has been met with international criticism; even in Israel, the decision has been questioned by many, with accusations that the prime minister is putting the lives of the hostages at risk by trying to ensure his political survival. A new Hamas video of captive Elkana Bohbot highlighted their suffering, as the group reaffirmed that American-Israeli Edan Alexander is one of five prisoners to be released.

Hostage families respond 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed any releases but urged a broad-based agreement to free all 59 captives in one move, querying the scope of the initiative. Hamas asserted it has cooperated "positively" with the mediators and adhered to previous conditions, urging Israel not to stand in the way of further progress. It is reported that Hamas is also seeking an immediate ceasefire to quell increasingly anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza.

Hamas seeks immediate truce

As the conflict flared again after Hamas's October 2023 attacks, Gaza's health authorities estimate 50,277 Palestinians dead and 1.1 lakh injured. Ongoing intensive negotiations between Qatar and the US have Washington urging Hamas through intermediaries to release Alexander as a goodwill gesture to President Donald Trump.