Hamas Proposes Five-Year Ceasefire; Israel Reportedly Rejects Terms

TDT | Manama

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Hamas has announced that it proposed a comprehensive five-year ceasefire agreement to Israel, which included the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the full lifting of the blockade. The proposal was reportedly rejected by the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Described by senior Hamas official Abdel Rahman Shadid as a “serious and responsible vision,” the proposal also called for an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities, unrestricted humanitarian aid, large-scale reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of an independent administrative body to manage Gaza.

According to Shadid, the Netanyahu government refused to engage with the plan, choosing instead to “fragment the issues” and declining to commit to a full end to the war — even at the cost of Israeli captives still held in Gaza.

Hamas stated it had communicated its readiness to cooperate with international mediators, on the condition that any agreement guarantees a permanent ceasefire. The group also accused the United States and its allies of supporting what it termed "massacres, genocide, and starvation warfare" against the people of Gaza.

Israeli authorities estimate that 59 captives remain in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. At the same time, over 9,500 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel, with human rights organizations reporting systemic abuse, torture, and medical negligence.

Since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, more than 52,400 Palestinians — the majority of them women and children — have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Israel is currently under growing international legal scrutiny. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes. Additionally, Israel faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its conduct in the Gaza war.