Hamas proposes 5-10 year truce with Israel, US official says

A US official who held direct talks with Hamas says the militant group has proposed a five-to-ten-year truce with Israel, marking the first time Hamas has offered a specific timeline for cessation of hostilities, NPR reported.

Adam Boehler, President Trump’s hostage affairs envoy, told Israeli public broadcasting on Sunday that the proposal includes Hamas laying down arms and relinquishing governance of Gaza, with US participation in preventing the resurgence of militant tunnels and activities.

“I believe there is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they’ve accepted, and what Israel wants and it’s accepted,” Boehler told CNN, suggesting a new ceasefire could be implemented within weeks.

Direct US-Hamas talks represent policy shift

The direct engagement with Hamas represents a significant departure from longstanding US policy towards the group, which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation.

Boehler explained his approach to Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close Netanyahu ally who leads Israel’s ceasefire negotiation team, saying: “The reality is what I wanted to do is jumpstart some negotiations that were in a very fragile place, and I wanted to say to Hamas, what is the end game that you want here?”

The discussions initially focused on securing the release of one American-Israeli hostage believed to be alive and the remains of four American-Israeli dual citizens, but expanded into broader negotiations.

Ceasefire talks to resume in Qatar

Representatives from Israel, Hamas and the US will participate in ceasefire talks in Qatar this week, with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attending what analysts describe as the most substantive round of negotiations since President Trump’s election.

Israeli officials are sending a working-level delegation to Qatar on Monday, with Witkoff expected to arrive Tuesday, according to US and Israeli sources.

Israeli political considerations may influence timing

The timing of any potential agreement appears linked to Israeli domestic politics, particularly the March 31 deadline for passing a national budget. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces coalition challenges over military service requirements for ultra-Orthodox men and budget disagreements that could trigger elections if unresolved.

Humanitarian situation deteriorates

Meanwhile, Israel on Sunday cut electricity to a Gaza desalination plant that provides drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people. The facility must now operate on generators, reducing daily water production from 18,000 cubic meters to just 2,500, according to Tania Hary of Gisha, an Israeli advocacy group for Palestinian civilians.

Since last week, Israel has also restricted food, aid supplies and fuel deliveries to Gaza as leverage in the ceasefire negotiations. Aid organisations express growing concern about diminishing resources following a temporary surge during the January-February ceasefire.

According to Israeli figures, Hamas still holds 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 Israelis in Gaza.