Israel is currently reviewing Hamas’ response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal, signaling a potential breakthrough in efforts to de-escalate the conflict that could lead to a 60-day truce and the release of half the Israeli hostages held in the embattled enclave. International mediators have intensified their efforts to restart indirect talks, especially after Israel announced plans for a new offensive in Gaza City. Egypt and Qatar are actively pushing for a US-backed ceasefire plan, aiming to bring an end to the prolonged hostilities.
The proposal outlines a significant prisoner exchange: 200 Palestinian convicts, including women and minors, jailed in Israel would be released, with Hamas releasing 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages from Gaza. Hamas has also requested the release of hundreds of Gaza detainees, according to Egyptian security sources, in a comprehensive exchange that aims to address humanitarian concerns on both sides.
The agreement also includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where they currently control 75% of the territory to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid into the enclave. The 2.2 million residents of Gaza face increasing famine, making humanitarian access a critical component of any ceasefire. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, emphasized that the 60-day truce could establish a clear pathway to a comprehensive agreement, ultimately ending the war.
Hopes and Skepticism on the Ground
Israel had previously agreed to the general framework of this proposal, which US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff advanced. However, earlier negotiations stalled over specific details, with the last round ending in deadlock in late July. Displaced individuals in a Khan Younis shelter expressed mixed feelings about the current prospects, with many residents, cooking meals and fetching water, earnestly hope Israel approves the proposal.
Despite ceasefire discussions, the conflict continues as Israeli gunfire, tank shelling, and airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians on Tuesday, according to Gaza health officials. Israeli forces have taken control of Zeitoun, an eastern neighborhood on Gaza City’s outskirts, and continue to pound the nearby Sabra area. Medics reported two women and a man killed in Sabra. Local health authorities stated dozens of people were trapped in their homes due to shelling. The Israeli military is currently checking these reports. Nasra Ali, a 54-year-old mother of five from Sabra, described the nights as
one of the worst, with explosions heard throughout the city. She considered leaving if a ceasefire materialized but might stay if nothing happens.
Political Pressure and Future Prospects
In Israel, the threatened offensive prompted large protests, with thousands urging a deal to end fighting and free hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss the ceasefire proposal soon. A Palestinian source close to the talks anticipates a response within two days. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure from far-right partners, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who demand continued war until Hamas’s defeat and Gaza’s annexation. Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq stated the agreed truce is an interim accord, paving the way for negotiations to end the war. Unlike previous rounds, Hamas accepted the proposal without further demands. However, significant gaps remain, particularly Israel’s demand for Hamas to disarm and its leaders to leave Gaza, conditions Hamas publicly rejects. The war began with Hamas’s attack, killing 1,200 and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s offensive has since killed over 62,000 Palestinians, causing a humanitarian crisis and displacing most of Gaza’s population.
