Hamas has agreed to US proposal on Gaza ceasefire: Palestinian official

Palestinian militant group Hamas has reportedly agreed to a proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff for a Gaza ceasefire, a Palestinian official close to the group told Reuters on Monday, raising hopes for a possible end to the war in Gaza, in which over 50,000 Palestinians — more than half of them women and children — have so far been killed.

The new proposal, which sees the release of 10 hostages held by Hamas and 70 days of truce, was received by Hamas through mediators.

"The proposal includes the release of ten living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in two groups in return for a 70-day ceasefire and a partial (Israeli) withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," the source told Reuters.

The proposal also sees the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds of those serving lengthy prison terms.

There has been no immediate comment from Israel.

Earlier today, Israeli strikes killed at least 40 people in Gaza, including 25 in a school-turned-shelter that was struck as people slept, igniting their belongings, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it targeted militants operating from the school, though it offered no evidence to back it claim.

Israel renewed its offensive in March after ending a ceasefire with Hamas. It has vowed to seize control of Gaza and keep fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and until it returns the remaining 58 hostages, a third of them believed to be alive, from the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas which precipitated this war.

Aid and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned of widespread starvation in Gaza following Israel's complete blockade of aid. On 18 May, Israel announced it would allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza after a nearly three-month blockade, days after global experts on food security warned of famine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a “starvation crisis” would jeopardise Israel's new military offensive in Gaza, and his cabinet approved a decision to allow a “basic” amount of food into the territory of over 2 million people.

Israel imposed the blockade on 2 March this year, cutting off all food, medicine and other supplies to Gaza, while pressing Hamas to accept new ceasefire terms. It resumed the war days later, shattering a two-month truce.

With agency inputs