Hamas announced on Friday that it is reviewing a U.S. proposal to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, even as Israel intensified its military strikes in the region. The escalation comes as Israel aims to pressure the Palestinian militant group to release the remaining Israeli hostages.
The U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, presented a “bridge” plan last week intended to extend the ceasefire into April, covering the holidays of Ramadan and Passover. The goal is to create space for negotiations toward a permanent end to hostilities.
Taher al-Nunu, a spokesperson for Hamas, stated that the group is considering Witkoff’s proposal along with new initiatives from other mediators to end the conflict. Hamas seeks a complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Egypt has also put forward a bridging proposal, according to two Egyptian security sources cited by Reuters. The proposal suggests setting a timeline for the release of the remaining hostages and a deadline for a full Israeli pullout from Gaza, with U.S. guarantees. Hamas has yet to respond to Egypt’s initiative.
After effectively ending a two-month-old truce, the Israeli military has intensified its air, land, and sea strikes on the Gaza Strip. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israel would continue its campaign until Hamas releases more hostages and is completely defeated, adding that civilians would be moved to the southern part of Gaza.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz defended Israel’s actions, stating, “The ceasefire could have been extended if Hamas had released all remaining hostages. Israel has every right to defend its people against Hamas terrorists.”
In response, al-Nunu accused Waltz of misrepresenting the facts, asserting that Hamas had offered clear proposals for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected them for political reasons.
This week, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly inflicted serious damage on Hamas, including the killing of its Gaza government chief and other top officials. On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency announced that an intelligence-led strike on Thursday had eliminated Osama Tabash, head of Hamas’ military intelligence in southern Gaza. Tabash was also in charge of Hamas’ surveillance and targeting unit. Hamas has not yet responded to this claim.
Separately, Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated on Friday that it had fired a rocket at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon in retaliation for Israeli attacks on civilians. The IDF reported that its air force intercepted two rockets launched from Gaza toward Ashkelon.
The governments of Germany, France, and Britain issued a joint statement on Friday calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire in Gaza and urging Israel to restore humanitarian access. The ministers expressed their concern over civilian casualties and called on Israel to restore essential services, including water and electricity, as well as ensuring access to medical care and facilitating temporary medical evacuations.
They emphasized that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians cannot be resolved through military means and that a lasting ceasefire is the only credible pathway to peace.
