Hamas unwilling to lay down arms in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports

The terror group also said that it would consider releasing up to 10 hostages in the iteration of the Egyptian ceasefire deal.

 Hamas terrorists in Rafah, in Gaza, February 22, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
Hamas terrorists in Rafah, in Gaza, February 22, 2025.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
Hamas told Al Jazeera that it was unwilling and it would be “completely unacceptable” to lay down arms, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.

“Hamas informed Egypt that the gateway to any agreement is a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal, not disarmament of the resistance,” Al Jazeera reported.

The Hamas representative also told the Qatari outlet that the latest proposal involves the handover of living and dead hostages over the course of 45 days to extend the ceasefire and allow more aid into the Gaza Strip.

Egypt has reportedly submitted a hostage ceasefire proposal to Hamas, which includes the release of approximately eight hostages in exchange for a ceasefire lasting “between 40 to 70 days,” Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Monday, citing an Egyptian source familiar with the details.

Israel is now pushing for the release of 10 hostages, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.

 IDF soldiers seen operating in the southern Gaza Strip, April 13, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)Enlrage image
IDF soldiers seen operating in the southern Gaza Strip, April 13, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)

What is the Egyptian proposal?

A senior Hamas member recently told Al Jazeera that Egypt’s ceasefire proposal suggests releasing half of the hostages during the first week of the agreement. This would be in exchange for a temporary 45-day ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid, including food and shelter, into the Gaza Strip.

Under the proposal, the remaining living hostages and casualties would be released throughout the 45-day period.  The senior Hamas official also expressed surprise at the inclusion of the clause about the “dismantling of resistance weapons.”

Egypt reportedly told the Hamas delegation that there would be no deal unless negotiations were held to disarm the Gaza-based terror groups.

The official stressed that Hamas informed Egypt that any agreement must begin with a cessation of hostilities and withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas vehemently opposes any discussion on the weapons of terror organizations, asserting that the right to maintain “resistance weapons” is non-negotiable and forms an integral part of Palestinian rights.


Report: This is the ceasefire deal Israel presented to Hamas

45-day ceasefire deal would see Hamas release 15 hostages, 9 living, including Edan Alexander. Israel continues to demand the disarmament of Hamas, which demands the end of the war without disarming.

return of hostages in previous deal

return of hostages in previous dealMajdi Phathi/TPS

The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel, which is close to the Hamas terrorist organization, published the alleged details of the Israeli offer presented to Hamas today in Cairo. According to the offer, Hamas must release hostage Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, on the first day, as a “special gesture” for the United States.

The offer, which includes a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of nine living hostages and six dead hostages, is conditional on the disarmament of the Gaza Strip.

On the second day, Hamas will release five living hostages in exchange for 66 prisoners serving life sentences and another 611 terrorists from Gaza. The hostages will be released without any show of force or ceremonies like the ones Hamas staged during the hostage releases of the January ceasefire deal.

According to the report, the offer requires means for distributing aid that both sides will agree on, which would allow the aid to reach civilians only and not be hoarded by Hamas as has been much of the aid that entered Gaza over the last 18 months.

After the release of the five hostages, the humanitarian aid will be brought in, as well as the tools and equipment needed to provide shelter to Gazans, and the IDF will begin redeploying in the Rafah area and northern Gaza.

On the third day, negotiations will begin regarding the “day after,” the disarmament of Gaza, and the declaration of a more permanent or long-term ceasefire. On the seventh day, Hamas will release four more hostages in exchange for terrorists serving life sentences and another 500 Palestinian Arabs who were arrested after the October 7 massacre. After this day, the IDF will redeploy east of the Philadelphi Corridor.

The report claims that on the tenth day, Hamas will transfer detailed information on all remaining living hostages, in exchange for corresponding information on terrorists jailed in Israel. On the twentieth day, Hamas will transfer the bodies 16 dead hostages, in exchange for 160 bodies of Palestinian Arabs, which will be exchanged simultaneously.

The ceasefire negotiations must be concluded within the 45-day timeframe. After a more permanent ceasefire is agreed upon, all remaining hostages will be released, both living and dead. If a temporary ceasefire is agreed upon, it can be extended under conditions and for a period of time on which both sides agree.

Earlier, a Hamas official stated that the terrorist organization will not agree to disarm in any deal and that it continues to demand the complete end of the war on its terms.


Abbas and Macron discuss ceasefire and two-state solution

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas after expressing support for recognizing a Palestinian state. The two discuss a ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid, and the two-state solution.

Emmanuel Macron and Mahmoud Abbas

Emmanuel Macron and Mahmoud AbbasReuters

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, following Macron’s statements supporting recognition of a Palestinian state.

According to the PA’s official news agency, Wafa, the two leaders discussed the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, accelerating humanitarian aid, and opposing any attempts to displace Palestinian Arabs from their land.

They emphasized the importance of renewing the Palestinian Authority’s responsibility in Gaza, including in security matters, based on the principle of one government, one law, and one legitimate weapon.

Macron and Abbas also addressed the need to implement the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and expressed support for advancing a two-state solution grounded in international legitimacy, including holding an international peace conference in June.

Abbas updated Macron on reforms within the Palestinian Authority and thanked him for France’s stance against Palestinian Arab displacement and its support for a ceasefire.

Abbas stated, “The Palestinian people have the right to remain in their homeland and will never leave it.” He further called for halting “settlement construction, annexation plans, and attacks on holy sites”, which he said “undermine the two-state solution and the possibility of establishing peace, security, and stability in the region.”