Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Deal as Israel Moves Forward with Caution

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Reports from the Middle East indicate that Hamas has accepted a proposed 60-day ceasefire and hostage deal with Israel. The proposed ceasefire is about 98% similar to an earlier proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff from this summer, which fell apart, Axios reported.

After meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and Egyptian mediators, Hamas reportedly accepted the proposal which includes a 60-day truce the release of 10 living Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners serving 15-year-to-life sentences in Israeli prisons, as well as the release of all remaining dead Israeli hostages in exchange for ten Palestinian bodies.

Additional terms include the temporary halt of the IDF's planned offensive and the formation of a committee to govern Gaza, CBN News reports.

"Hamas, for the first time, after weeks of not being willing to discuss any deal to release hostages, even though Turkey had already approached it and Qatar had approached it, suddenly it is on the table," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said. 

"The reason is clear, and we see it now in discussion – only their fear that we seriously intend to occupy Gaza – facing this alternative, they are willing to discuss," Katz said. 

According to Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, the Hamas acceptance of the proposal is considered "A turning point in the war."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, stated that he is taking a wait-and-see approach as the IDF continues its plans for the takeover of Gaza City.

"I spoke with the defense minister and the IDF about our plans regarding Gaza City and the completion of our missions," Netanyahu said. "And like you, I hear the reports in the media, and from them you can be impressed by one thing – Hamas is under immense pressure."

U.S. President Donald Trump refuted Netanyahu's skepticism on social media.

"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Joel Carillet

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.