Scoop: U.S. offered Hamas militants safe passage out of Israel-controlled Gaza zone

The U.S. proposed granting Hamas militants safe passage from Israeli-controlled areas in Gaza to zones under Hamas control, aiming to stabilize the ceasefire and clear the Israeli-held sector of fighters. Egyptian and Qatari mediators conveyed this proposal to Hamas on Wednesday, but no militants had crossed over by Thursday night. The U.S. initiative followed two serious ceasefire breakdowns caused by skirmishes involving Hamas militants hiding in tunnels within the Israeli zone. One incident on Tuesday saw militants emerge from a tunnel, killing an Israeli soldier, which prompted massive Israeli airstrikes killing over 100 Palestinians before the ceasefire resumed. Hamas disclaimed responsibility, stating they had lost contact with militants left behind in Israeli-controlled areas. Despite public support for Israel, U.S. officials privately considered the Israeli response disproportionate. Dozens of Hamas militants reportedly remain hidden in tunnels, particularly in Khan Younis and Rafah, on the Israeli side of the "yellow line" separating the control zones. These militants sporadically attack Israeli forces, leading to escalations; consequently, the U.S. sought a solution to prevent further flare-ups. The U.S. notified Hamas, via intermediaries, that they had 24 hours to evacuate militants from the area east of the yellow line, giving Israel the green light to enforce the ceasefire against targets behind the line afterward. The ceasefire is currently holding, and Hamas returned the bodies of two deceased hostages on Thursday, with eleven still outstanding.