In a significant diplomatic development, Hamas has communicated to international mediators its readiness to suspend all offensive operations against Israel for a period of up to ten years, contingent upon a complete Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. A senior Palestinian official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, confirmed to Middle East Eye that the proposal was formally presented to Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators during negotiations in Cairo last week.
The proposal outlines a comprehensive hudna—a long-term truce rooted in Islamic tradition—wherein Hamas commits to ceasing all weapons fire from Gaza and would physically bury its arsenal to demonstrate compliance. Mediating nations would serve as guarantors, directly supervising Hamas’s adherence to the agreement. This offer, described by the official as a ‘substantive move,’ is intended to inject momentum into the stalled ceasefire negotiations and would allow Gaza to focus exclusively on its immense reconstruction needs and internal governance after more than two years of devastating conflict, displacement, and siege.
This position marks a notable evolution from Hamas’s long-standing doctrine, which has historically insisted on retaining its weapons until the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state. The current offer, however, is specifically confined to the Gaza theatre and does not address the group’s military or political activities in the occupied West Bank.
The official cited a shifting regional diplomatic landscape, particularly a perceived change in Egypt’s stance toward favoring the needs of Gazans, as a factor enabling this proposal. This includes Cairo’s insistence on the Rafah border crossing operating in both directions to allow for the return of displaced Palestinians, a move Israel has thus far blocked.
Despite a ceasefire being in effect since October, the situation remains precarious. Palestinian authorities have documented over 600 Israeli violations, including air strikes that have killed hundreds. While Israel has released thousands of detainees, it continues to hold senior Palestinian figures under conditions criticized by human rights groups.
The official acknowledged the agreement’s imperfections from Hamas’s perspective, stating, ‘Of course Hamas thinks the agreement is not good. But its first priority was to stop the war.’ He conceded the truce is in a ‘very difficult stage,’ but emphasized a strategic decision to prioritize saving Palestinian lives and dealing with other issues subsequently. The official concluded with a defiant tone, stating that ultimately, the Palestinian people depend only on themselves and their unwavering struggle to achieve their rights.