Senior Hamas official Taher al-Nounou announced on Tuesday that the movement had accepted a ceasefire proposal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, stressing that the decision was made to protect Palestinian civilians and ease the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Al-Nounou described the proposal as a middle ground between Hamas’s previous position and Israel’s demands, noting that it carries U.S. guarantees. “We hope this step opens a path to ending the war,” he said. Palestinian sources confirmed that Hamas and allied factions accepted the plan without reservations.

The agreement calls for the redeployment of Israeli forces from northern and eastern Gaza, excluding parts of Shuja’iyya and Beit Lahia, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, and the guaranteed entry of fuel, water, and electricity. It also includes the rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners, among them 140 serving life sentences and 60 with long terms, in exchange for Israeli captives. All Palestinian women and children prisoners would be freed, alongside the return of bodies on both sides.

Implementation would begin immediately upon approval, with humanitarian aid distribution overseen by the UN, the Red Crescent, and other international bodies in coordination with Palestinian factions. Egyptian officials confirmed that the proposal has been delivered to the Israeli side, stressing that the decision now rests with Tel Aviv. They warned that failure to respond positively could prolong the war, while urging stronger U.S. and international pressure for acceptance.

The move comes as Gaza endures its 23rd month under relentless bombardment, siege, and destruction, where hospitals are collapsing, famine spreads, and tens of thousands of civilians have been killed.