Hamas accepts new ceasefire proposal, calls on Israel to support it

A senior Hamas official confirmed on March 29 that the group has approved a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators, urging Israel to support the deal while stressing that the weapons of the resistance are a “red line.”

Khalil al-Haya, a prominent Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, stated that the movement had received a proposal two days ago from Egyptian and Qatari mediators, which it had accepted positively, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

 In a televised address marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, al-Haya called on Israel to refrain from obstructing the ceasefire. “We hope that the occupation (Israel) will not obstruct it,” he said, adding, “The weapons of the resistance are a red line.”

Earlier in the week, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim remarked that talks between the Palestinian Islamist group and the mediators were progressing, despite ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza. According to Palestinian sources close to Hamas, discussions began on March 27 evening between the group and representatives from Egypt and Qatar, aiming to revive the ceasefire and facilitate a hostage release agreement.

The fragile truce that had been in place for several weeks collapsed on March 18, when Israel resumed its bombing campaign across the Gaza Strip. Tensions have continued to escalate, with the latest round of negotiations beginning just a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a threat to seize parts of Gaza if Hamas failed to release hostages. In response, Hamas warned that the captives would return "in coffins" if Israel did not cease its airstrikes on the Palestinian territory.

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas, with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, reached a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, which took effect on January 19. During the first phase of the deal, which concluded on March 1, some 33 hostages, including the bodies of the deceased, were returned to Israel. In return, Israel released over 1,500 Palestinians from its prisons.

However, on March 2, Israel suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and closed all checkpoints, citing Hamas' refusal to accept a plan proposed by US special envoy Steven Witkoff aimed at extending the truce. On March 18, the Israeli military resumed airstrikes on Hamas facilities in Gaza, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva