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The Palestinian group Hamas is preparing to present a new proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip at the talks in Cairo, the Middle East daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reports, citing a source in the organisation who wished to remain anonymous. The proposal includes five key points aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire of up to five years, prisoner exchange, withdrawal of Israeli troops, reconstruction of Gaza and lifting the blockade.
This was reported by Maariv.
Main points of the Hamas proposal
- Prisoner exchange as part of a single deal: Hamas is offering a comprehensive deal to exchange all Israeli hostages held in Gaza for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The agreement provides for a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) from the Gaza Strip, the lifting of the blockade and the start of large-scale reconstruction of the region.
- A five-year ceasefire with guarantees: Hamas insists on a long-term pause in hostilities for five years, which should be backed by regional and international guarantees to ensure compliance.
- Return to the terms of the agreement of 2 March 2025: Once an agreement is reached, the situation should return to the state stipulated in the January 2025 agreement. This includes the cessation of all military operations, the withdrawal of IDF forces to the positions defined in the previous agreement, and the resumption of humanitarian assistance in accordance with established protocols.
- Creation of a technocratic administration: Hamas is proposing to form an independent local committee of technocrats to govern the Gaza Strip. This body would have the authority and responsibility for administering the region.
- Preparation for national reconciliation: The proposal envisages the promotion of a pan-Palestinian agreement based on previous agreements between Palestinian factions, in particular the Beijing Agreement of 2024.
Context and perspectives
The proposal comes amid ongoing negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar, which are trying to restore the ceasefire after it broke down earlier this year. Previous agreements, including the one reached in January 2025, provided for a phased release of hostages and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops, but Hamas insists on a comprehensive solution, rejecting temporary arrangements.
According to sources, a Hamas delegation will soon arrive in Cairo to discuss the details of the proposal. However, Israel is likely to be sceptical about the conditions, which include a complete withdrawal of troops and the lifting of the blockade, as the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated the need to maintain control over the buffer zones in Gaza and disarm Hamas.
Reaction and expectations
The talks in Cairo are expected to be a key stage in determining further developments in the region. The international community, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, is actively supporting the dialogue, hoping to prevent a new escalation. At the same time, sources in Hamas express hope that Israel will not reject the proposal, although previous rounds of talks ended without significant progress due to mutual accusations.
This initiative by Hamas, if implemented, could be an important step towards stabilising the situation in the Gaza Strip, which has suffered significant destruction since the fighting began on 7 October 2023. However, the success of the negotiations depends on the willingness of both sides to compromise in the context of deep mutual distrust.
