Jerusalem: Israel has received Hamas' response to a new ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip, and discussions for details are underway, Israeli media reported on Saturday. Israeli Channel 12, citing an anonymous source, mentioned that the Palestinian group's reply concerning the ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal was transferred to Israel via mediators.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel's Security Cabinet is set to convene at 10 pm local time (1900GMT) on Saturday to deliberate on Hamas' response and the future trajectory of the Gaza conflict. Reports suggest that a delegation is expected to travel to Doha, Qatar's capital, for further negotiations on the implementation of the ceasefire proposal, although no specific timeline has been provided.
Israeli Channel 12 previously reported that the negotiations in Doha 'will not take more than a day and a half.' Meanwhile, Egypt's state-run Al-Qahera News channel reported Cairo's initiation of intensive contacts with various parties to resume indirect negotiations to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.
Hamas announced late Friday that it had delivered a 'positive' response to mediators regarding the Gaza ceasefire proposal. As reported by Israel's public broadcaster KAN, Hamas is insisting on three primary demands: reinstating the previous aid distribution mechanism, extending the ceasefire beyond the proposed 60-day period, and the actual withdrawal of Israeli army forces from the Gaza Strip.
Reports from Israel highlight the primary challenge in negotiations being the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, as reported by the Israeli Hayom newspaper. The publication stated that Israel seeks to maintain a presence on the Morag Axis, which separates Rafah from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, while Hamas calls for a complete withdrawal.
Yedioth Ahronoth daily, citing unnamed Israeli officials, noted that US President Donald Trump may announce a ceasefire agreement in Gaza during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Hamas did not disclose details of the proposal, but Israeli and American media reported that the main provisions include Hamas releasing half of the living Israeli hostages, 10, along with the bodies of 18 prisoners in five phases over a 60-day ceasefire.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the proposal suggests the release of eight living Israeli hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, two more on the 50th day, and eight bodies on the final day of the truce. In exchange, Israel would release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners and gradually withdraw forces from agreed-upon areas inside Gaza-a point of contention in Tel Aviv, which demands the disarmament of the Palestinian group and the exile of its leadership abroad.
Estimates from Tel Aviv indicate about 50 hostages, including 20 living captives, are in Gaza, while over 10,400 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, facing torture, starvation, and medical neglect that have resulted in numerous deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has continued its conflict in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 57,300 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, since October 2023. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.