CAIRO: Hamas has accepted a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, after a fresh diplomatic push to end more than 22 months of fighting, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim claimed in a Facebook post on Monday.

Mediators Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, have struggled to secure a lasting truce in the conflict, which has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

After receiving a new proposal from mediators, Hamas said it was ready for talks. “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.

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

Thousands flee Gaza City fearing Israeli offensive

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 that guarantees were offered to ensure implementation and pursue a permanent solution.

According to a report in Egyptian state-linked media Al-Qahera, the deal proposed an initial 60-day truce, partial prisoners release and provisions to allow for the entry of aid.

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

Palestinians leave homes

Fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south in the shattered territory.

In Gaza City, many Palestinians have also been calling for protests soon to demand an end to a conflict that has destroyed much of the territory and wrought a humanitarian disaster, and for Hamas to intensify talks to avert an Israeli ground offensive.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2025