Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal from mediators and is ready for talks

A new ceasefire proposal has been accepted in hopes of ending the 22-month long war between Israel and Gaza, with a number of conditions outlined by Hamas.

Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal as mediators continue to push for an end to the 22-month conflict that has led to a dire humanitarian crisis.

A senior member of the Palestinian group has told a number of media outlets that the truce would see a 60-day pause on the conflict, a partial release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners, and provisions to allow the entry of aid.

It is understood half of the 50 Israeli captives would be freed in two groups during the ceasefire period, according to one report.

There are believed to be only about 20 Israeli hostages alive

Hamas has said it will accept a ceasefire proposal in hopes of bringing an end to the 22-month long war. Picture: AP Photo/Mariam Dagga

Hamas said it is ready to sit at the negotiation table.

“The movement has submitted its response, agreeing to the mediators’ new proposal. We pray to God to extinguish the fire of this war on our people,” senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said on Facebook.

Earlier a Hamas source told AFP the group accepted the proposal “without requesting any amendments”.

A Palestinian source familiar with the talks said mediators were “expected to announce that an agreement has been reached and set a date for the resumption of talks”, adding guarantees were offered to ensure implementation and pursue a permanent solution.

Mediators Qatar and Egypt - supported by the United States - have spent many months trying to secure a deal between Hamas and Israel.

Egypt said it and Qatar had sent the new proposal to Israel, adding “the ball is now in its court”.

Israeli soldiers in southern Israel near the Gaza border. Picture: AP Photo/Maya Levin

One Israeli official said its demands to stop the conflict remain the same.

“Israel’s position has not changed - the release of all the hostages and adherence to the other conditions defined for ending the war,” a statement read.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently stressed any acceptance of a deal would only come once all hostages are free, the disarming of the terror group, Israel control of decimated Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority no longer being in charge.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!”

“The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.”

Palestinians gather to receive cooked meals from a food distribution centre. Picture: Eyad BABA / AFP

Aid is dropped into Gaza. Picture: Eyad Baba / AFP

The new proposal comes more than a week after Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, which has sparked international outcry as well as domestic opposition.

Humanitarian groups have warned any plans by Israel to take over Gaza could see Palestinians forced into an overcrowded area “almost devoid of basic infrastructure and services”.

The conflict still continues, with reports by Gaza’s civil defence agency that at least 20 people were killed across the region on Monday.

Israel’s army in response said it was “not aware of any casualties”.

Witnesses have reported tanks and heavy firing on a number of towns.

Netanyahu blasts protests in Israel

Mr Netanyahu has criticised tens of thousands of demonstrators who turned out across Israel over the weekend demanding an end to the deadly war.

According to some reports, up to 500,000 protesters turned out in Tel Aviv and about one million across the country rallied against the government, fearing the remaining hostages would be killed in Israel's’s controversial next steps.

Drums and loud chanting could be heard in cities and towns.

“All of them now - their time is running out,” they yelled out.

“Every bullet, every strike, could be the one to end their life,” another protester added.

Demonstrators rally in Tel Aviv over the weekend calling for the Israeli government end of the war and release of hostages. Picture: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Mr Netanyahu claimed the actions of his residents will embolden the terror group.

“The people who are calling today for the war’s end without Hamas’s defeat are not only toughening Hamas’s stance and distancing our hostages’ release, they are also ensuring that the atrocities of October 7 will recur time and again, and that our sons and daughters will have to fight time and again in an endless war,” he said in a statement.

“Therefore, in order to advance our hostages’ release and to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, we have to finish the job and defeat Hamas.”

The death toll in Gaza soared past 62,000 this week, Palestinian officials said.