Gaza Herald_Hamas has informed regional mediators that it is willing to enter a long-term ceasefire with Israel, lasting up to a decade, if Israeli forces fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip. According to a senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks, the movement signaled its readiness to freeze all offensive operations from Gaza and even bury its weapons under direct international supervision, as long as a full military pullout is guaranteed.
The proposal, delivered in Cairo to Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, reflects what Palestinian negotiators describe as a major step intended to shift the trajectory of the ceasefire discussions and open space for reconstruction after years of devastation.
The official, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, explained that Hamas offered what it described as a hudna, a well-established concept in Islamic tradition referring to a long-term truce,lasting between seven and ten years. During this period, Gaza would refrain from firing any weapons toward Israel, and mediating states would be responsible for verifying and enforcing the agreement. For Hamas, the priority is ensuring safety for Gaza’s population and creating the conditions to rebuild their shattered homes, communities and institutions.
Regional Shifts and a Pragmatic Approach
This proposal marks a shift in Hamas’s strategic calculations, influenced by changes in the regional diplomatic climate. The official pointed specifically to Egypt, which in recent months has taken a more assertive stance on the humanitarian and political needs of Palestinians in Gaza. Cairo has insisted that the Rafah crossing must operate in both directions, not only allowing people to flee but also enabling displaced families to return to their homes. Israel has resisted this, keeping tens of thousands stranded outside Gaza or trapped in the south, unable to return to devastated neighborhoods in the north and center.
Mediators, the official said, have recently strengthened their communication channels with Hamas and expressed readiness to act as guarantors for any arrangement that stabilizes Gaza. This environment encouraged the movement to propose practical steps that address immediate humanitarian needs without compromising its political commitments in the West Bank or its broader national principles. Despite long maintaining that its weapons would only be surrendered under a fully sovereign Palestinian state, Hamas presented this Gaza-specific proposal as a temporary but necessary measure to stop the bloodshed and begin rebuilding.
At the same time, Israeli violations of the current ceasefire remain frequent. Palestinian authorities report more than 600 breaches since October, including airstrikes and drone attacks that have killed over 360 Palestinians and injured nearly 1,000. Israel has released thousands of prisoners under the ceasefire framework but continues to hold senior political leaders in harsh conditions described by rights groups as near-starvation.
Uncertain Road Ahead for International Stabilization Forces
Parallel to the ceasefire discussions, major uncertainties surround the United States’ 20-point plan for Gaza, including the establishment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and a technocratic Palestinian government under a so-called “board of peace.” While Washington expects troops on the ground early next year, no clear operational roadmap has emerged. Countries like Indonesia have shown willingness to contribute forces, but none are prepared to deploy without clarity on geographic placement, command structure or mission guidelines.
Mediators have floated various ideas for how such a force might function, but as the Palestinian official noted, “nothing concrete has emerged.” This ambiguity leaves significant doubts about whether the security arrangements envisioned by the U.S. and its allies can realistically materialize on the ground.
Despite these uncertainties, Palestinian officials say Hamas entered the ceasefire with a singular priority: stopping the war on Gaza. Israel, meanwhile, maintains military positions along what it calls the “yellow line,” effectively holding more than half of the Gaza Strip, including some of its most fertile agricultural land. While Hamas sees clear shortcomings in the current deal, the official emphasized that the movement’s strategy is to safeguard the population first and deal with unresolved issues through internal Palestinian dialogue.
The truce, however, remains at a fragile and difficult stage. Yet the official insisted there is long-term determination: Gaza’s people, he said, are committed to building the conditions that will eventually force Israel to recognize Palestinian rights. “The struggle is long,” he added, “and what we’re living now is only one moment in that journey.”
ما
