Hamas proposes five-year truce in Gaza and full hostage release
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Hamas signaled on Saturday that it is open to a deal that would see the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza and a five-year suspension of hostilities, an official from the Palestinian group told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The announcement comes as Hamas prepares for new negotiations with mediators in Cairo later today.
It marks a shift in the group’s stance following its rejection of an Israeli proposal on April 17, which offered a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages. Hamas dismissed the offer, maintaining its opposition to any "partial" truce.
Hamas has repeatedly insisted that any ceasefire agreement must lead to a complete end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a comprehensive prisoner exchange, and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.
Israel, meanwhile, remains firm in its demands: the unconditional return of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza — a condition Hamas calls non-negotiable.
The ongoing conflict traces back to Hamas's large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left 1,218 people dead, the majority civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. On that day, Hamas fighters captured 251 hostages; according to the Israeli army, 58 remain in captivity, including 34 who are believed to be dead.
A previous ceasefire from January 19 to March 17 had led to the return of 33 hostages to Israel, eight of whom were deceased, in exchange for the release of approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, at least 2,062 Palestinians have been killed, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, bringing the total death toll in Gaza to 51,439 since the outbreak of war.