Hamas Reportedly Fired An Unconditioned Ceasefire For A Week

A Palestinian fighter from the Hamas military wing in a military parade to commemorate the 2014 Hamas-Israeli war, near the Israel-Gaza border in the central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023. (ANTARA/REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)

Hamas reportedly submitted a one-week ceasefire proposal by offering a list of Israeli prisoners detained in Gaza.

According to a report by the Israel Broadcasting Authority, Kan, on Tuesday night (31/12) citing an undisclosed foreign source, Hamas proposed an unconditional ceasefire, such as the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, or allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

According to the report, Hamas will register prisoners on the fourth day of the ceasefire, as Israel has requested.

After that, Israeli authorities can decide whether the ceasefire will be extended or resume fighting.

Hamas has yet to comment on the report.

The Palestinian independence struggle group, reportedly detained about 100 prisoners from Israel, stating that they were unable to compile a complete list during the war. Meanwhile, Israel detained more than 10,300 Palestinians.

Hamas consistently expressed readiness to reach an agreement, even agreeing to US President Joe Biden's proposal last May. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the proposal by setting new terms, including continuing military operations.

Several observers, including members of the Israeli opposition and the families of the prisoners, accused Netanyahu of deliberately delaying negotiations in order to defend his power after right-wing ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich reportedly threatened to withdraw their support for the government if the war in Gaza ended.

The situation in Gaza remains concerning, with nearly 2 million residents losing their homes amid severe food, water and medicine shortages.

Israel's blockade to Gaza, which has lasted for 18 years, has described the region as "the world's largest open prison."

Israel also faced world outrage, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) last month issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the attacks on Gaza.

The Israeli army continues to wage a war called genocide in Gaza, which has killed more than 45,500 people, mostly women and children, since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The war in Gaza continues despite the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Israel is also facing a genocide lawsuit from the International Court over the war in the region.