Israel has become ‘flexible’ from its hardline stance to reach a ceasefire with the Palestinian armed group Hamas, two sources said. Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement with the occupying Israel on January 19 of this year. But on March 18, the occupying forces violated the agreement and launched a massive attack on Gaza.

Since then, the mediating countries Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel again. However, the occupying Israel said that they would have to release 11 living hostages to restore the ceasefire. But Hamas said that they would release five hostages. At that time, neither side agreed to make any concessions.

In the meantime, Egypt continued to try. The country proposed a new ceasefire of several weeks (45 days) and during this time Hamas would release eight living hostages. On the other hand, the occupying Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes, was not agreeing to this Egyptian proposal either.

However, after a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington last week, Netanyahu softened, according to the Times of Israel. The media outlet said that Israel sent its counter-proposal to Egypt last Thursday. In this, Israel has reduced the number of living hostages from 11.

However, the occupying Israel is demanding that the living hostages be released within the first two weeks of the ceasefire. Although Hamas has said that the hostages will be released in stages. They have also demanded the return of the bodies of 16 dead hostages.

In addition, the occupying Israel has stated in its proposal that it will release fewer Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. An official said that Israel wants to release a Palestinian sentenced to life in prison for a hostage.

Israel also said in its proposal that if the ceasefire begins, it will lift the blockade on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter. In addition, its troops will be withdrawn to the places they were in Gaza before March 18. That is, the occupying forces will withdraw from the central areas of Gaza. Israel also promised in the proposal that if this temporary ceasefire begins, it will start talks with Hamas on a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas has been demanding a permanent ceasefire with Israel from the beginning. The previous ceasefire in January stated that the occupying Israel would discuss a permanent ceasefire during its first phase. But at that time, they betrayed and instead of discussing it, they launched a massive attack on Gaza from March 18 during the holy month of Ramadan. On that day alone, more than 400 people were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza. Since it betrayed Hamas at that time, Hamas will not consider Israel’s written or verbal promises sufficient now.

Steve Witkoff, the US president’s special envoy to the Arab mediators on the Hamas issue, said that if necessary, President Donald Trump will publicly announce that Israel will negotiate a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas official Khalil al-Haya will go to Cairo, the Egyptian capital, on Saturday night (April 12). He will be accompanied by other representatives. Egypt will convey the Israeli proposal to Khalil al-Haya.

The two officials concerned said that Hamas may not accept most of the demands of the occupying Israel. Therefore, a ceasefire is unlikely to happen soon.

After the first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ended in January, Israel wanted to extend it. But Hamas said that Israel would have to move to the second phase of the ceasefire according to the agreement. And if they do this, they will release the Israeli hostages. But the occupiers did not comply with this, broke the agreement and began a massive attack on March 18.

Hamas even offered to release all the Israeli hostages at once if Israel agreed to a permanent ceasefire. But Netanyahu did not agree to this. He said that if they did this, Hamas would remain in control of Gaza. Which they do not want.