People in Jerusalem held up posters of Edan Alexander, one of the Israelis taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack, as they joined a protest on Sunday to show support for the hostages. REUTERS
Hamas is reviewing a new ceasefire offer from Israel. This proposal could lead to a 45-day truce in Gaza. As part of the plan, 10 Israeli hostages would be freed. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The plan arrived on Monday and includes steps toward a possible permanent ceasefire. It also demands Gaza’s disarmament, something Hamas strongly opposes. A senior Hamas official said the group will not accept any deal that involves disarming or lets Israeli forces return to Gaza after they withdraw.
This is the first official deal Israel has offered to get back hostages since restarting its military campaign in March. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure from families of hostages and military reservists to reach a deal quickly.
A Hamas official said that on day one of the truce, Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander would be freed as a goodwill gesture toward the United States. Over the weekend, Hamas released a video of Alexander speaking to Donald Trump, asking why he hadn’t been freed yet. The video appears to have been filmed under pressure. Hamas later claimed they lost contact with the group holding Alexander after an Israeli airstrike hit the location, but this cannot be confirmed.
Hamas has previously made false claims about hostages. Last November, they said a female hostage died in an Israeli strike. But that same woman, an Israeli soldier named Daniella Gilboa, was later freed alive.
The new deal would see nine more Israeli hostages released in two stages. In exchange, Israel would release 120 Palestinians with life sentences and over 1,100 others held without charges since October 7, 2023. The deal also calls for both sides to share information about remaining hostages and detainees. Each would also return the remains of those who died in captivity.
The truce would allow humanitarian aid and shelter materials to enter Gaza. A system would be set up to make sure this aid reaches only civilians. Israeli troops would also withdraw from parts of Gaza for seven days, including Rafah, areas in the north, and eastern Gaza City.
Talks have already started between Hamas and mediators from Egypt and Qatar in Cairo. Israel hasn’t confirmed if it sent representatives to the talks. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened. Israel cut off aid in March to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Over 1,500 Palestinians have died since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
The truce plan says that on the third day, talks for a full ceasefire should begin. If both sides reach an agreement within 45 days, all remaining hostages—alive and deceased—would be handed over to Israel. If no deal is reached by then, the truce could still continue if more prisoners are exchanged.
An Israeli official said the goal is to free the 10 hostages and Alexander, and to get full updates on the others. Netanyahu recently visited Israeli soldiers and said the country is still aiming to reach all its goals. “We insist that they release our hostages,” he said in Gaza.
On Sunday, his office confirmed “steps are underway” to reach a deal. Families of hostages, including that of Eitan Mor, were briefed on the progress. One hostage advocacy group said Netanyahu told the family talks were moving forward.
A senior Hamas leader said on Telegram that the group is open to any plan that ends the fighting and removes Israeli forces from Gaza. But he warned they would not accept a deal that only focuses on food or supplies in exchange for prisoners.
