Israel Proposes 45-Day Ceasefire in Exchange for Hostage Release, Says Hamas

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza reaches an unprecedented low, there may be a glimmer of hope for diplomacy. On Monday, Hamas revealed that Israel has proposed a 45-day ceasefire deal in exchange for the release of half of the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.

The ceasefire would allow for a crucial influx of humanitarian aid, but the proposal includes terms Hamas is currently refusing to accept—most notably, the disarmament of all Palestinian armed factions.

A Hamas official, speaking to AFP, said that Egyptian mediators delivered Israel’s offer. Under the terms, the first week of the agreement would see the release of half of the hostages and a temporary halt to fighting for at least 45 days. Humanitarian aid would also be permitted entry during that time.

“The proposal includes the disarmament of Hamas and all Palestinian armed factions in the Gaza Strip as a condition for a permanent end to the war,” the official said. However, Hamas has labeled the disarmament clause a “red line,” stressing that their weapons are non-negotiable.

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Hamas leaders are currently reviewing the offer and plan to hold further talks in Qatar, where the group’s political office is based and mediation efforts have been ongoing. Israel has not yet issued a formal statement on Hamas’ response to the proposal.

The Hamas official also reiterated the group’s stance: “Hamas informed the mediators that it is willing to agree to any proposal that includes a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the entry of aid.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued one of its most dire warnings yet, declaring Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as the worst since the war began in October 2023. With aid deliveries completely blocked since March 2 and conditions deteriorating rapidly, the situation is becoming unbearable for civilians trapped in the conflict.

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“The humanitarian situation is now likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The agency reported severe shortages of food, medical supplies, clean water, and fuel. Aid workers have been forced to ration remaining supplies and scale back operations.

At Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, Dr. Ahmed al-Farah painted a grim picture: “We are operating with a shortage in everything. The team is working around the clock, but we are overwhelmed.”

The war reignited in March following the collapse of a two-month truce, as disagreements over the terms of a long-term ceasefire derailed progress. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks, in which Hamas militants abducted 251 people, Israel has continued its military campaign in Gaza. According to the Israeli military, 58 hostages remain in captivity—34 of whom are believed to be dead.

The proposed ceasefire, though temporary, could provide desperately needed relief for civilians and potentially pave the way toward a broader resolution. But with both sides firmly entrenched in their core demands, the path forward remains uncertain.