‘Hear the Protestors’ Voice’: Amid Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza, Qatar and Egypt Propose Long-Term Ceasefire

Latest Developments

Deal May Include Hamas Disarmament: Qatari and Egyptian mediators have proposed a framework for a multiyear agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war. The proposal reportedly includes a five-to-seven-year ceasefire in which the IDF completely withdraws from the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and Hamas transferring governance of the coastal enclave to an as yet unspecified Palestinian governing body. Some media reports indicated that the deal would require Hamas to completely disarm, an outcome that the terrorist group has previously dismissed.
Hostages Not Discussed in Trump-Netanyahu Phone Call: The new proposal comes days after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a limited pause in exchange for 10 of the 24 living hostages. President Donald Trump stated on April 22 that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing “numerous subjects including Trade, Iran, etc.,” but did not mention whether the conversation had touched on the plight of the hostages still held by Hamas.
Gazans Demand Hamas Release Hostages: Hamas has faced protests from Gazan civilians over the worsening situation in the territory. In a video posted on social media on April 22, a Palestinian professor, Hassan Abujarad, called for the world to “hear the [protestors’] voice that the war should be stopped and that the hostages should be released immediately.” Gaza residents were “sick of the war, sick of starvation,” he said.

FDD Expert Response

“Any long-term truce with Hamas is meaningless unless the group is fully disarmed. History has shown that truces are routinely violated once Hamas and its affiliates have had the opportunity to rearm and reorganize. Hamas has consistently and unequivocally stated that it will not abandon its weapons. Israel, the United States, and other international stakeholders must treat these declarations with the seriousness they warrant. Unless Israel decisively compels Hamas to relinquish both its weapons and its control over the Gaza Strip, renewed hostilities are inevitable.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Many Gazans are fed up with Hamas dragging them on suicide missions against the Jewish state and are demanding an end to the war and an end to Hamas. Some are even calling for the release of hostages. These calls from Gazans stand in stark contrast to supposed pro-Palestinian activists in the United States promoting the terrorist group that has brought this misery to Gaza.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst