Hamas has reportedly agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal that would see the release of 10 living Israeli hostages in exchange for a 70-day truce with Israel, according to a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations, speaking to Reuters on Monday.
The proposal, delivered to Hamas through international mediators, outlines the release of the hostages in two phases and includes a limited Israeli withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip, the official said.
In addition to the hostage release and ceasefire, the plan reportedly calls for Israel to free several Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving long-term sentences.
Israel has not yet issued an official response to the proposal.
Tensions reignited on March 18, when Israel ended a previously agreed ceasefire from January and resumed military operations in Gaza. In retaliation, Hamas and allied factions resumed rocket attacks against Israeli targets.
Hamas has indicated its willingness to release all remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israeli communities. That assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 individuals into Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
The group has demanded a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory in exchange for releasing the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has consistently rejected calls for a permanent truce.
He has maintained that any agreement must be temporary and contingent upon the release of hostages, affirming that military operations will continue until Hamas is dismantled.
Since Israel launched its retaliatory air and ground campaign, nearly 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Gaza.
Negotiations remain ongoing amid international pressure to reach a humanitarian resolution and halt further civilian casualties.
