Hamas announced on Saturday it would endorse any Gaza ceasefire proposal guaranteeing a permanent truce and full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. The group emphasized that conditions must address Palestinian humanitarian needs and include a “serious prisoner exchange deal,” amid stalled negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for talks as Israel expanded military operations, with the conflict’s human toll taking center stage. Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, released a video of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, detained since October 2023. In the footage, Alexander described deteriorating conditions and criticized Israeli leadership for failing to secure captives’ release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed ongoing efforts to free hostages after speaking with Alexander’s family. Hamas claims it previously offered to release Alexander and four others’ remains in March, but negotiations collapsed following the expiration of an initial six-week ceasefire on March 1.
Analysts note widening gaps between Hamas’s demands for a complete Israeli withdrawal and Israel’s insistence on neutralizing the group’s military capabilities. With mediators struggling to bridge divides, regional instability risks persist.
