Israel agrees to US-backed Ramadan, Passover truce; Hamas rejects proposal

Israel has accepted a US-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday.”Israel adopts the plan of the US president’s envoy Steve Witkoff for a temporary truce for the periods of Ramadan” due to end in late March “and Pesach,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement released just after midnight (2200 GMT on Saturday).The truce follows the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire that began on January 19. Under Witkoff’s proposal, Israel has agreed to release half of the hostages held in Gaza—both alive and deceased—on the first day of the temporary truce, with the remaining hostages to be freed once a permanent ceasefire is reached.The proposal comes as negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked, with no immediate breakthrough on a lasting truce. “According to the agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it feels that the negotiations are ineffective,” Netanyahu’s office stated, accusing Hamas of violating the deal.Hamas, however, has rejected Israel’s proposal to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire. “Israel is trying to reset the situation to zero by mixing the cards,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Araby TV. The group has also criticised Israel for not committing to a full withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the complete release of hostages.The original ceasefire, established in January, brought an end to 15 months of conflict and led to the release of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. While discussions on extending the ceasefire have continued, including recent talks in Cairo, a final agreement has yet to be reached.(With inputs from Reuters)