Hamas Offers 5–10 Year Truce as It Accuses Israel of Rewriting Gaza Cease-Fire

Overview

• Hamas political bureau member Basem Naeem told the Associated Press the group is prepared to propose a 5, 7, or 10‑year cease-fire tied to talks on a Palestinian state.
• Naeem said Hamas could consider laying down or freezing its weapons within a security framework that guarantees Palestinians’ protection, though he gave no details.
• A Hamas representative alleged Israel is breaching the first‑phase terms by restricting aid and shifting the agreed pullback line, and urged mediators and the U.S. to press Israel to comply.
• Israel’s COGAT said Rafah will reopen only for Gaza patients to exit to Egypt after Israeli screening and under an EU mission’s oversight, with no commercial or humanitarian cargo allowed.
• The October 10 cease-fire’s first steps included Hamas freeing 20 live hostages and Israel releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while media reports say the next phase could be announced by late December and have cited early discussions on removing Hamas heavy weapons.