Hamas declared its acceptance of a ceasefire proposal shortly after Israel’s military issued evacuation orders for parts of Rafah, a city in Gaza housing over a million Palestinians. Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s politburo, communicated this acceptance to Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence minister. While Hamas confirmed its stance, Israel has yet to comment on the matter.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged Hamas’s response, stating they are currently assessing it and engaging with regional partners. The specifics of the agreement remain unclear, but recent proposals typically entail a six-week ceasefire, the release of around 30 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the freedom of Palestinians detained by Israel, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. Additionally, the pause in hostilities would create space for further negotiations.
However, doubts arise regarding the nature of the proposed ceasefire. Avi Mayer, a former Jerusalem Post editor, reported Israeli officials dismissing Hamas’s announcement as misleading, alleging it refers to a unilateral proposal lacking Israeli endorsement and containing unacceptable terms. Jonathan Conricus, a former IDF spokesman, characterized Hamas’s approval as a deceptive tactic to pressure Israel into accepting its terms.
Despite international warnings about civilian casualties, Israeli leaders expressed resolve to conduct ground operations in Rafah as part of their campaign against Hamas. The U.S. has urged Israel against a ground invasion for weeks. The decision to evacuate Rafah sections followed a Hamas rocket attack that killed three IDF soldiers and wounded others at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, a vital conduit for humanitarian aid into Gaza.