Egypt, which together with Qatar is mediating in the conflict, has received the proposal from Israel and forwarded it to Hamas on Monday. The proposed ceasefire is intended to pave the way for negotiations on a permanent end to the fighting, reports the Egyptian state-owned media company Al-Qahera.
A high-ranking representative of Hamas tells AFP that the new Israeli proposal, among other things, dictates that the Palestinians must be disarmed before a permanent ceasefire can become relevant.
"Hamas and the resistance groups' position is that the resistance's weapons are a red line and non-negotiable", says the Hamas representative in a statement to the news agency.
At least 45 days
Israel is said to have proposed a ceasefire of at least 45 days in exchange for the release of half of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The Hamas leadership will now review the proposal and respond "as soon as the necessary consultations are complete".
Hamas has been negotiating with mediators in Cairo in recent days.
We are ready to release all Israeli prisoners in exchange for a substantial agreement on prisoner exchange, an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the entry of humanitarian aid, said Hamas leader Taher al-Nunu to AFP earlier on Monday.
Talks in Qatar
A settlement that leads to an end to the fighting is crucial for Hamas.
An anonymous Hamas representative tells AP that the organization plans to send a delegation to Qatar soon to continue the indirect negotiations with Israel. The Qatar talks are scheduled to take place later this week or next, according to the information.
The Gaza war broke out on October 7, 2023, after Hamas' attack on Israel. The ceasefire that came into effect on January 19 this year was broken by Israel on March 18.
