Cairo, Doha Await Israeli Reply After Hamas Positive Response to Ceasefire

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that Egypt and Qatar have received Hamas’s response to the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal and are now awaiting Israel’s reply. The ministry’s spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, described Hamas’s response as “positive”, noting that it is almost identical to what Israel had previously signaled approval for.

Speaking at a press conference, Al Ansari explained that Hamas’s response matches 98 percent of the proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Wietkov, stressing that the only real guarantee for the deal would be the willingness of both sides to implement it. He underlined Qatar’s commitment, alongside Egypt and international partners, to pursue any form of agreement that can halt the fighting and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Al Ansari added that the current ceasefire proposal represents the best available option to protect Palestinian lives in light of the ongoing escalation. The plan includes a 60-day pause in fighting, during which a prisoner and hostage exchange would take place. It also envisions a repositioning of Israeli forces, paired with a significant increase in the entry of humanitarian aid as stipulated in the agreement.

The Qatari spokesperson also referred to the recent meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in New Alamein City, which reviewed bilateral cooperation and joint efforts on Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed took part in ceasefire talks during his visit, which was part of a broader push to advance negotiations toward an agreement.