Hamas Receives Israeli Response on Hostage Swap and Cease-Fire Proposal

"Hamas received Israel's official response to the movement's proposal delivered to mediators, Egypt and Qatar, on April 13," said Khalil al-Hayya, the group's deputy head in the Gaza Strip and head of its Arab and Islamic Relations Office. "The movement will study this proposal, and upon completion, will submit its response to the mediators," added al-Hayya.

The Israeli response came as a top Egyptian security delegation visited Tel Aviv on Friday to discuss a possible Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, according to Egyptian and Israeli media reports.

Hamas is demanding an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

Tel Aviv estimates that 134 Israelis are being held in Gaza, while Israel is holding approximately 9,000 Palestinians in its jails. The conflict has resulted in more than 34,300 Palestinian deaths since an October 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Hamas, which claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives and led to approximately 250 hostages being taken.