Hamas Agrees to Fresh Ceasefire Proposal: Hamas Spokesperson Affirms

In a significant development, Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has officially accepted a new ceasefire proposal for the embattled Gaza Strip. The announcement was made by senior Hamas official Bassem Naim on Facebook.

The ceasefire proposal, presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that has claimed countless lives and caused widespread destruction. The deal, as reported in Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera, includes an initial 60-day truce, a partial hostage release, the release of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions to allow for the entry of aid.

The acceptance of the proposal comes after intense negotiations held in Cairo and with Hamas leaders based in Qatar. All factions in Gaza, including Islamic Jihad, have expressed their support for the Egyptian and Qatari proposal.

However, the situation in Gaza remains tense, with residential areas, including Zeitoun and al Sabra neighborhoods, in Gaza City, still under heavy fire. Eyewitnesses report tanks and heavy artillery targeting the area, resulting in the death of at least 20 people on Monday, according to the Gaza's civil defense agency, including six in the south.

Israeli forces, on the other hand, have reportedly killed no one as a result of their fire in the southern areas reported by the civil defense, according to the Israeli military.

The conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on civilians. According to an AFP tally based on official figures, Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Out of 251 hostages taken during the attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

Amnesty International has accused Israel of enacting a "deliberate policy" of starvation in Gaza and "systematically destroying the health, well-being and social fabric of Palestinian life". Israel, while heavily restricting aid allowed into Gaza, has repeatedly rejected claims of deliberate starvation.

The new ceasefire proposal also addresses the issue of hostages. According to an Islamic Jihad source, the remaining captives would be released in a second phase, with negotiations for a broader settlement to follow.

As the international community watches the situation unfold, Egypt is willing to join a potential international force deployed to Gaza, but only if backed by a U.N. Security Council resolution and accompanied by a "political horizon".

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has written on Truth Social that the return of the remaining hostages would only occur when Hamas is "confronted and destroyed".

As the ceasefire proposal awaits Israel's response, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is visiting Gaza to consolidate existing common efforts towards a deal. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty visited the Rafah border crossing with Gaza on Monday, aiming to apply maximum pressure on both sides to reach a deal.

The hope is that this ceasefire proposal will mark a turning point in the long-standing conflict, bringing an end to the violence and paving the way for a peaceful resolution. However, it remains to be seen whether Israel will accept the proposal and whether the truce will hold.