Proposal accepted by Hamas includes hostage release and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
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May 6, 2024 Israel-Hamas war

By Kathleen Magramo, Adam Renton, Antoinette Radford, Sana Noor Haq, Ed Upright, Tara John, Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 12:00 a.m. ET, May 7, 2024
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7:32 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Proposal accepted by Hamas includes hostage release and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

From CNN's Nic Robertson and Mostafa Salem

The proposed agreement mediated by Qatar and Egypt and accepted by Hamas starts with the release of 33 Israeli hostages over 42 days and ends with the rebuilding of Gaza amid “a period of sustainable calm,” according to a document shared with CNN by a source in the region familiar with negotiations. 

The copy of the framework details that the agreement will be divided into three phases, each 42 days long. It will also include an eventual full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the second phase, according to the document and Hamas senior official Khalil Al-Hayya, who spoke to Al Jazeera. 

Here's a breakdown of each phase:

The first phase

  • This phase says Hamas will release 33 hostages — specifically women, children, elderly and those sick — in exchange for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, the halting of reconnaissance flights for 10 hours daily, the free movement of disarmed Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 
  • In this phase, 30 Palestinian women and children will be released for every Israeli hostage released by Hamas, and 30 Palestinian prisoners over the age of 50 for every Israeli hostage over the age of 50. 
  • Female IDF soldiers are to be released as part of the 33 hostages, but for every Israel Defense Forces woman soldier released, Israel is to release 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 serving life sentences.
  • Every week Hamas will release three hostages. On the sixth and final week, the rest of the hostages are to be released to fulfill the 33 number agreed upon, according to the document. The agreement also says that Hamas could include the bodies of dead hostages to reach the 33 number.   
  • An extensive effort will begin for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including makeshift shelters and homes, and the rehabilitation of key infrastructure, including hospitals and the electric plant, the document says.  

The second phase

  • The document did not fully expand on the details of the second phase of the agreement, which is set to include a “sustainable period of calm” in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages, including civilian men and IDF male soldiers.

The third phase

  • A three-to-five-year Gaza rebuilding plan is to start in this phase, according to the document.
7:07 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Multiple explosions reported in Rafah area of southern Gaza

From CNN's Abeer Salman and MJ Lee

Video and images obtained by CNN showed multiple explosions in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Monday night.

Local social media accounts reported that the explosions were to the east of Rafah, an area where the Israel Defense Forces had ordered an evacuation of civilians earlier Monday.

United States officials are closely monitoring reports of the explosions and have “real concerns” about the situation that is unfolding, but do not believe this is the beginning of a major Israel military operation into southern Gaza, US officials told CNN. 

The Biden administration remains opposed to Israel going into Rafah, as White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters repeatedly earlier Monday afternoon. And while the current situation is concerning, these US officials stressed that for now, they believe the reports of strikes in Rafah are limited in scope. 

This post has been updated with additional information from the US.

6:48 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Ceasefire negotiation talks will resume on Tuesday in Egypt, Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs says

From CNN's Mitchell McCluskey

Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas will continue on Tuesday, with a Qatari delegation heading to Cairo, according to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Spokesperson Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari said in a statement early Tuesday (local time) that the continued negotiations come after Hamas sent a response about a possible proposal, which "can be described as positive."

Al-Ansari expressed Qatar's "hope that the talks will culminate in reaching an agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and the sustainable flow of humanitarian aid into all areas of the Strip."

There have been international calls for an agreement to be reached on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on the Israeli government and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal after Hamas said it accepted a deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar.

The Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi also expressed his hope for a deal to be met on X.

6:25 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Israeli forces will take over Palestinian side of Rafah crossing in next few hours, sources say

Hira Humayun

Israeli forces are going to take over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in the next few hours, according to CNN political and global affairs analyst Barak Ravid, citing two sources with direct knowledge.

6:19 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Catch up on what to know about Hamas' response to a ceasefire proposal Israel says is "far from" its needs

From CNN staff

Palestinians react after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, in Rafah, Gaza, on Monday, May 6.
Palestinians react after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar, in Rafah, Gaza, on Monday, May 6. /Doaa al Baz/Reuters

Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the "necessary requirements."

This comes after the Israeli military called on Palestinians living in parts of eastern Rafah to "evacuate immediately." During nearly seven months of war, more than 1 million Palestinians have fled to the southern city. The US expressed concerns about the evacuations.

Here's what to know about Hamas' response, the framework and more:

  • What Hamas said: Hamas announced that Ismail Haniyeh, head of its political bureau, has told Qatari and Egyptian mediators that Hamas has agreed to their proposal for a ceasefire agreement. A member of Hamas’ political bureau, Basem Naim, told CNN that Hamas is now waiting for an Israeli response.
  • Public reaction: As news spread in Gaza of Hamas’ announcement, there were celebrations in the streets in several places, including in Deir el Balah, central Gaza, and in Gaza City. In Tel Aviv, hostage families and their supporters took to the streets as they called on the government to accept the proposal. A similar protest took place in Jerusalem, as demonstrators chanted: "Nothing is more important, every hostage must return." The Hostages Families Forum said in a statement that Hamas' response "must pave the way" for the return of Israeli hostages.
  • Israel's response: The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Monday it will send a delegation to the mediators "even though Hamas' proposal is far from Israel's necessary requirements." In the meantime, the war cabinet "unanimously" decided that Israel will continue its operation in Rafah to "exert military pressure on Hamas," it added.

  • What's in the proposal: Hamas agreed to a framework proposal that diverges from the one Israel had helped craft with Egypt more than a week ago, a senior Israeli and senior US official said. The latest proposal calls for an end to the war, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not accept, the senior American official said. “It incudes a permanent end to hostilities, which is a red line for (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” the senior US official said.
  • Situation in Rafah: Throughout the day, the Israeli air force struck more than 50 targets in the Rafah area, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Monday. Video and images obtained by CNN showed multiple explosions in the Rafah area of southern Gaza on Monday night. Local social media accounts reported the explosions were to the east of Rafah, an area where the IDF had ordered an evacuation of civilians earlier Monday. Palestinians evacuating eastern Rafah described their fear and despair.
  • Global response: Hamas' Haniyeh spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who welcomed the militant group's decision to agree to a ceasefire deal and urged Israel to do the same. Haniyeh also spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the Israeli government and Hamas leadership to agree to the ceasefire deal to "stop the present suffering," his spokesperson said. The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed about Hamas' response and where things stand.
5:04 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Hamas says it won't back down from its demands in the proposal it agreed to

From CNN's Abeer Salman

Hamas said it would not back down from its demands in the proposal it agreed to, according to a news release on Monday.

Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, spoke with Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziyad al-Nakhalah, discussing the proposed ceasefire agreement it received from the mediators two days ago, according to the Hamas statement.

"They emphasized that the resistance factions will not back down from their demands included in the agreed-upon proposal, including foremost the ceasefire, complete withdrawal, dignified exchange, reconstruction, and lifting of the blockade," the statement added.
4:35 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

There are "significant gaps" between Israel and Hamas, Israeli war cabinet member says after Hamas response

From Lauren Izso

There were “significant gaps” between Israel and Hamas, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said Monday after Hamas accepted a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

The Hamas version of the proposal “does not correspond to the dialogue that has taken place so far with the mediators and has significant gaps,” Gantz said. “Despite this, we continue to turn over every stone and a delegation will go to Cairo.”

Working for the return of Israeli hostages is a "war goal" and a "supreme moral duty," he added.

“The negotiating team and the professionals continue to work every minute and every moment. ... Every decision will be brought to the War Cabinet — there will be no political consideration.”

4:41 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

Hamas agreed to a different proposal than one Israel helped craft, sources say

From Alex Marquardt and Jeremy Diamond:

Palestinians celebrate in a street in Rafah after Hamas announced it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposal, on May 6.
Palestinians celebrate in a street in Rafah after Hamas announced it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposal, on May 6. AFP/Getty Images

Hamas on Monday agreed to a framework proposal, which diverges from the one Israel had helped craft with Egypt more than a week ago, a senior Israeli and senior US official said.

The latest proposal calls for an end to the war, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will not accept, the senior American official said.

“It incudes a permanent end to hostilities, which is a red line for (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” the senior US official said.
“This is not the same position,” the senior Israeli official said.

The senior Israeli official said the Israeli government was sending a working-level delegation to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in order to better understand the latest proposal and determine whether a deal can be forged.

 

4:11 p.m. ET, May 6, 2024

UN Secretary-General calls on Israel and Hamas to agree on ceasefire deal

From CNN's Mitchell McCluskey

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the Israeli government and Hamas leadership to agree to a ceasefire deal after Hamas said it has accepted a deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar.

He urged the parties to "go the extra mile needed to make an agreement come true and stop the present suffering," according to a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the secretary general.

Guterres also voiced concern over Israel's military operations in Rafah.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the indications that a large-scale military operation in Rafah may be imminent. We are already seeing movements of people – many of these are in desperate humanitarian condition and have been repeatedly displaced. They search for safety that has been so many times denied," the statement read.