NextFin news, On August 18, 2025, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group controlling Gaza, officially accepted a new ceasefire proposal aimed at ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The announcement came amid ongoing mediation efforts led by Egypt and Qatar to halt the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The ceasefire plan, which Hamas approved without requesting amendments, includes a 60-day truce and provisions for phased hostage releases and prisoner exchanges. A Hamas representative confirmed the group's written acceptance of the proposal to mediators, signaling willingness to resume negotiations. This development was reported by multiple news agencies including Reuters, AFP, and Shafaq News.
The proposal was brokered through talks involving Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who emphasized the importance of reaching a ceasefire and addressing Gaza's humanitarian crisis. The Egyptian presidency stated that both leaders rejected the reoccupation of Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians, affirming that establishing a Palestinian state remains the path to peace.
Hamas's acceptance follows months of intense conflict that has resulted in over 62,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with a significant portion being women and children. The war has also caused severe humanitarian distress in Gaza.
While Hamas has agreed to the ceasefire proposal, the Israeli government has yet to respond publicly to the development. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that any ceasefire deal must ensure the release of all captives simultaneously and under Israeli conditions.
The ceasefire proposal is part of ongoing mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aiming to end the war and facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza. The plan also envisions a staged release of hostages held by Hamas, with initial phases involving the release of ten hostages and the return of several bodies under international guarantees.
This announcement marks a significant step in the conflict resolution process, with mediators expected to announce the agreement formally and schedule the resumption of talks. The situation remains fluid as the international community watches for Israel's response and the implementation of the ceasefire terms.
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