In a rapidly shifting landscape in Gaza, Hamas announced on Friday that it is reviewing a U.S. proposal designed to restore a ceasefire. Introduced by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as a "bridge" plan, the proposal aims to extend the current ceasefire into April, beyond the Ramadan and Passover holidays, offering a window for negotiations on a more lasting cessation of hostilities.
Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu confirmed that the group is weighing the U.S. plan alongside new initiatives from other mediators. Among these, Egyptian security sources revealed that Egypt has put forward a bridging proposal that includes setting a timeline for the release of remaining hostages and a schedule for a complete pullout of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, with added U.S. guarantees. So far, Hamas has not issued a response to the Egyptian suggestion.
Meanwhile, following the effective abandonment of a two-month-old truce, the Israeli military has ramped up its air, land, and sea strikes in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that military operations would persist until Hamas releases more hostages and the conflict reaches a decisive resolution, with plans in place to move civilians to the southern part of Gaza.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz defended Israel's right to self-defense, arguing that the ceasefire extension was contingent on the release of all hostages. Al-Nunu countered these comments by asserting that Hamas had put forward clear proposals for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, only to see those efforts sidelined by political considerations.
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Hamas reviews U.S. ceasefire proposal as Israel intensifies strikes
cgtn.com
