Hamas open to long truce but rules out disarming

A high-level Hamas delegation's proposal in Cairo to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-year truce, along with calls by the Palestine Liberation Organization for a domestic dialogue of all parties, has renewed hope among Gazans struggling with food shortages — and for broader efforts to rebuild Palestinian statehood.

"The idea of a truce or its duration is not rejected by us, and we are ready to discuss it within the framework of negotiations," said Taher Al-Nono, media adviser to the Hamas leadership, in the first clear signal that the group was open to a longer-term truce. "We are open to any serious proposals to end the war."

He also ruled out a core Israeli demand that Hamas lay down its arms. "The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists," he said.

An Egyptian security source described the green light by the Hamas delegation on Saturday as "very important" for advancing efforts to end the conflict.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have been continuing for weeks.

Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel earlier reported the Hamas delegation would also discuss a comprehensive deal that ensures the full withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Gaza, and securing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. Talks are expected to include the formation of a committee to manage Gaza's administration.

"This time we will insist on guarantees regarding the end of the war," said Mahmoud Mardawi, a senior Hamas official. "The occupation can return to war after any partial deal, but it cannot do so with a comprehensive deal and international guarantees."

So far, Israel has not formally responded to any of the proposals, but has given the green light for negotiations to continue regarding the release of hostages.

However, an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday that the report that Hamas would be willing to accept a five-year ceasefire deal is not new and has not been conveyed recently by mediators to Israel.

Leadership update

In Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, the Palestine Liberation Organization, or PLO, approved on Saturday the appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as vice-president of its executive committee and the State of Palestine.

The appointment of Sheikh came during a meeting chaired by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to the PLO Executive Committee. It marked the first time such a position has been established since the organization's founding.

During the meeting, Abbas stressed the initiation of a comprehensive national dialogue led by a joint committee appointed by the PLO Executive Committee and the Fatah Central Committee, with all factions to achieve reconciliation and strengthen national unity within the framework of the PLO.

Across Gaza, Israeli forces killed about 40 Palestinians on Saturday alone, Al-Jazeera cited local medics as saying, as aid officials sound the alarm over "full-scale famine conditions" amid Israel's aid blockade.

The World Food Programme said on Friday that its hot meal kitchens in Gaza "are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days".

Northern Gaza resident Wael Odeh said, "There is no food in the free kitchen, there is no food in the markets ... There is no flour or bread."

Hamish Falconer, the United Kingdom's minister for the Middle East and North Africa, has expressed concern over the WFP's announcement that its food stocks in Gaza have run out.

"Israel's devastating aid block is putting civilians, including 1 million children, at risk of starvation," he wrote on X. "The UK, France and Germany are clear — it must end."

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.