US ‘Hopeful’ Hamas Will Accept ‘Extraordinarily Generous’ Ceasefire Proposal By Israel
There are still about 133 hostages who were kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7 that have not been released by Hamas.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has expressed hope that Hamas will accept Israel’s latest proposal for a Gaza truce and the release of hostages. Blinken referred to Israel’s offer as ‘extraordinarily generous’ during discussions with a Hamas delegation mediated by Egypt and Qatar. A source close to the talks told the BBC they were cautiously optimistic about the potential agreement.
The proposed deal includes a 40-day truce in exchange for the release of hostages and the possibility of allowing displaced families to return to northern Gaza. Additionally, the agreement features revised wording aimed at achieving a lasting calm to meet Hamas’s insistence on a permanent ceasefire. The Hamas delegation has departed Cairo and is expected to return with a formal response to the proposal.
“Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily, extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel,” Blinken said during a panel discussion at the WEF. “And in this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas. They have to decide, and they have to decide quickly,” he continued. “I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, also present in Riyadh, shared a similar sentiment, expressing optimism about the proposal’s acceptance by both Israel and Hamas.”There is a proposal on the table, up to the two sides to consider and accept but certainly the objective is a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire and dealing with the humanitarian conditions,” Shoukry told a panel at the WEF in Riyadh on Monday, according to CNN. He also said that he is hopeful “the proposal has been taken into account” and that “we are waiting to have a final decision.”
International Pressure
Israel is facing mounting pressure from its global allies and hostage families to reach a resolution. The conflict escalated when Israel Israel launched a military campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage. The toll on Gaza has been devastating, with thousands of lives lost and significant destruction.
Ongoing Negotiations
Efforts to secure a truce and the release of remaining hostages have been ongoing, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US working tirelessly to broker a new agreement. Despite previous failed attempts, the current discussions aim to halt the violence and ensure the safe return of hostages held by both sides.
Hamas’s Stance
Hamas has maintained its position, rejecting previous truce offers that did not align with its demands for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The group remains steadfast in its commitment to securing a lasting peace that addresses the needs of Palestinians displaced by the conflict.
Hamas has only said publicly that it is studying the new Israeli proposal, but an unnamed senior official told AFP news agency on Sunday that “the atmosphere is positive unless there are new Israeli obstacles”.
“There are no major issues in the observations and inquiries submitted by Hamas regarding the contents [of the proposal],” they added.
There are still about 133 hostages who were kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7 that have not been released by Hamas. But its unclear how may Hamas actually holds after its shocking invasion on the south of the country, killing people in their communities, at a music festival, and taking more than 250 people hostage.
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