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Hamas puts the brakes on ceasefire: ‘No agreement reached with Israel’

Palestinian sources deny rumours of an agreement for a truce in Gaza. Tel Aviv has already accepted the US proposal, but Hamas is stalling and says it is disappointed with the terms

There is still no agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A source close to the Islamist movement, quoted by al-Aqsa TV, has denied reports circulating in some Arab media: ‘There is no truth to what some media outlets are reporting about an agreement,’ the source said. A leading Hamas source, contacted by al-Jazeera, also reiterated that the Palestinian movement ‘is still evaluating’ the American proposal put forward by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Palestinian group’s position is confirmed by reports in the Times of Israel, according to which Hamas has received a new truce proposal from international mediators and intends to analyse it carefully, in the interests of the civilian population and with the aim of achieving a permanent cessation of hostilities. However, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the content of the proposal did not satisfy Hamas leaders.

The American proposal, which would provide for a temporary 60-day truce, includes the staggered release of 10 hostages, the return of the bodies of prisoners killed on both sides, the release of 125 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and another 1,111 arrested after the 7 October attack. In return, Israel would withdraw from recently conquered areas in the Strip and the management of humanitarian aid would return to the control of the United Nations, replacing the current local structures supported by American volunteers.

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A senior Hamas official said that the plan presented by the United States would be more biased in favour of Israel than previous versions. In particular, there is no clear guarantee that the temporary ceasefire could evolve into a permanent truce. Furthermore, it is not specified that, in the event of negotiations lasting longer than 60 days, the ceasefire would remain in force, avoiding unilateral violations such as those already reported in the past.

On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, during a meeting with the families of the hostages, his acceptance of the latest American proposal. The news was also reported by Channel 12. The White House, through spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that “Israel signed the proposal before it was sent to Hamas” and that “negotiations are still ongoing”.

Meanwhile, Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya will hold a press conference at 9 p.m. local time (8 p.m. in Italy) to clarify the movement’s position on the American proposal. The international community remains hopeful for a positive sign that could bring a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict.

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