CAIRO. Hamas has accepted a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire with Israel that includes the release of half the hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, an Egyptian official source said Monday.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed the group’s approval on Facebook, saying other Palestinian factions had also informed mediators of their support. Israel has yet to issue a formal response, though an Israeli official confirmed that the proposal was received. Egypt and Qatar have mediated the talks with U.S. backing.
The proposal calls for a suspension of Israeli military operations for 60 days and outlines a framework for a comprehensive settlement to the nearly two-year conflict. A source familiar with the talks said the plan closely mirrors an earlier U.S. initiative that Israel has accepted.
The announcement came as Israel continued its military pressure on Gaza City. Witnesses reported Israeli tanks advancing into the Sabra suburb on Monday, while thousands of Palestinians fled eastern areas of the city under heavy bombardment. Israel’s Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir described the offensive as a “turning point” in the war, focusing on intensified strikes against Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that Hamas is “under immense pressure,” while reiterating that Gaza City remains the group’s last major urban stronghold. Israeli officials have warned that a large-scale ground incursion could endanger hostages believed to still be alive and risk dragging troops into prolonged urban warfare.
Families of hostages voiced concern about the planned offensive. “I’m scared that my son would be hurt,” said Dani Miran, whose son Omri was abducted on October 7.
In Gaza, many Palestinians are urging Hamas to intensify negotiations to avert an assault. Nearly 1,000 families have fled Beit Lahiya, a devastated suburb of Gaza City, in recent days, according to local shelter officials. “There is no life left,” said Mousa Obaid, a displaced resident.
The latest ceasefire talks follow failed negotiations in July, with both sides blaming each other for the collapse. Israel has insisted it will only agree to a permanent ceasefire if all hostages are released and Hamas disarms, conditions the group has rejected unless a Palestinian state is established.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. The health ministry reported five more deaths from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours, raising the toll to 263, including 112 children, since the conflict began. Local officials say more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its air and ground campaign in response to the October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 hostages taken.
U.S. President Donald Trump, in a social media post on Monday, wrote: “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
