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Hamas is promoting a new cease-fire initiative with Israel and has turned to Türkiye for diplomatic support in relaying its proposal to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat citing Hamas sources.
The initiative, which includes the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for a mutually agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, also calls for a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Delegations from Hamas, led by Muhammad Ismail Darwish, chairman of the Hamas Shura Council, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and held a separate meeting with National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head Ibrahim Kalin in Ankara to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza under the Israeli blockade.
According to Turkish security sources, the meeting focused on possible measures to ensure the delivery of aid and enhance coordination of international efforts in response to the ongoing crisis.
Kalin and the delegation also assessed the latest developments surrounding efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive cease-fire in Gaza.
Discussions with Fidan reportedly focused on Hamas' proposal, internal Palestinian matters, and the broader situation in Gaza. During that meeting, both sides stressed that Israel's ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid is pushing Palestinians in Gaza toward starvation, urging the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the delivery of critical assistance to the enclave.
Hamas sources, speaking anonymously to Asharq Al-Awsat, said the movement believes Türkiye's close ties with the U.S. administration make Ankara a suitable conduit for delivering the proposal to Washington.
They also cited remarks by U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler, who suggested Washington could support a cease-fire if Hamas released all hostages.
"The purpose of the meetings in Türkiye is to urge Turkish officials to use their good relations with the current U.S. administration to convey Hamas’s vision to Washington," one source told the newspaper.
In addition to Türkiye, Hamas is also working through Qatari intermediaries to increase U.S. engagement and pressure on Israel to accept the deal. Turkish intelligence also facilitated the release of five Thai hostages held in Gaza, following intelligence diplomacy efforts conducted with Hamas under the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to security sources, MIT played a key role in diplomatic negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages as part of ongoing mediation efforts.
According to the proposal, Hamas is willing to accept a five-year truce guaranteed by international and regional actors.
The initiative also includes humanitarian provisions, such as allowing aid into Gaza under a defined protocol.
Hamas has expressed readiness to support the formation of a non-partisan Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, in line with a previously proposed Egyptian plan backed by Arab, Islamic, and European stakeholders.
A three-phase cease-fire agreement was initially reached between Hamas and Israel on Jan. 15, 2025, with the first phase ending on March 1. However, the second phase failed to materialize.
On March 18, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza, citing Hamas' rejection of terms proposed by mediators and U.S. special envoy Steven Witkoff.
According to a Hamas source cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the group sent a written response to mediators regarding Israel's latest offer.
"We are ready to immediately engage in negotiations on a comprehensive package that includes ending the aggression, full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, lifting the blockade, initiating reconstruction, and the release of all prisoners," Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas' political bureau member, said in a televised statement.
The Israeli proposal reportedly included:
However, the proposal also included a demand for Hamas to disarm, a condition the group categorically rejected.
"Partial agreements are used by (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu as a cover for his political agenda … we will not be complicit in this policy," Hayya stated.
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