“The movement will study this proposal, and upon completion of its study, it will submit its response,” Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ deputy Gaza chief currently based in Qatar, said of the proposal presented to Egyptian and the Qatari mediators on April 13.
Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and Israel, among others, had earlier submitted a proposal for a permanent cease-fire, which Israel rejected.
After more than six months of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the negotiations remain deadlocked, with Hamas sticking to a demand that any agreement must end the war rather than be a temporary cease-fire.
Egypt as a mediator
The latest effort in the stalled peace process comes as an Egyptian delegation arrived in Israel to revive the negotiations and return the remaining hostages.
Israel estimates that about 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.
Israeli media, citing anonymous officials, reported that Israel’s War Cabinet had discussed options for a truce and hostage release ahead of the Egyptian delegation’s visit.
According to Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, there has been “noticeable progress in bringing the views of the Egyptian and Israeli delegations closer.”
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday he saw fresh momentum in talks to end the fighting and return the remaining hostages. The United States joined Germany and 15 other countries in calling on Hamas to release all remaining hostages as a pathway to end the conflict.