Hamas announced on Friday March 21, 2025, that it is carefully reviewing a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire-hostage deal in Gaza through early April.
This comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
The ceasefire, which had held for two months and facilitated the exchange of dozens of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, broke down on Tuesday when Israel launched a series of bombardments on Gaza.
The renewed violence shattered the fragile calm and reignited tensions.
US envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal seeks to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, but Hamas has indicated its preference to adhere to the previously agreed timeline.
That timeline, which involved commitments from Israel and the US, included a second phase where Israel would agree to halt the war.
However, Israel has rejected this approach and remains focused on prolonging the initial phase.
