Safe Corridor… Details of a New US Offer to Hamas in Gaza
A new American proposal to Hamas includes a safe passage for its fighters, in an effort to consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Under the offer, Hamas fighters would be allowed to move safely from areas controlled by the Israeli army in Gaza, located behind what is known as the “yellow line,” to areas under the movement’s control. This was reported by the American outlet Axios.
Citing American and Israeli officials, the website stated that the proposal, delivered to Hamas on Wednesday through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, aims to “consolidate the ceasefire and clear nearly half of Gaza, currently controlled by Israel, of Hamas fighters.”
Officials added that the proposal gave Hamas a 24-hour deadline to withdraw its fighters from the area east of the yellow line.
A US official said that once this deadline expired—at 8 p.m. local time on Thursday—Israel would be able to enforce the ceasefire and strike Hamas targets beyond the yellow line.
As of Thursday evening, no Hamas fighters had actually crossed the border, according to a senior Israeli army officer.
A fragile agreement
Since the ceasefire was signed on the 10th of this month, skirmishes between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters hiding in tunnels within areas controlled by Israel have led to two major collapses of the truce.
According to the Israeli army, on Tuesday, Hamas fighters emerged from a tunnel and opened fire on Israeli troops, killing one soldier.
Israel described the incident as a violation of the ceasefire and launched heavy airstrikes, killing more than 100 Palestinians, including women and children, before the truce was reinstated.
Hamas, however, claimed it did not order the attack and had lost contact with the fighters left in areas under Israeli army control.
US President Donald Trump publicly stated that Hamas had violated the ceasefire and supported Israel’s response, while some White House officials believed the Israeli reaction was excessive.
The tunnel dilemma
A senior Israeli army officer noted that dozens of Hamas fighters are still hiding in tunnels on the Israeli side of the “yellow line,” particularly in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Rafah.
“These are pockets that have not yet been completely cleared. We are conducting a thorough and systematic cleaning operation in these areas,” he said.
He added, “As we tighten our grip and approach them, they emerge from tunnel openings to attack our troops, provoking an intense response and leading to escalation.”
The ceasefire remains in place for now. On Thursday, Hamas returned the bodies of two deceased hostages as part of its commitments under the agreement, while 11 bodies have yet to be handed over.
So far, neither Washington, the mediators, nor Hamas have officially confirmed this proposal.
