Ceasefire proposal on Gaza gains support

Hamas signals acceptance of a 60 day pause and hostage exchange as mediators push toward a broader deal.

Hamas Accepts Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Linking Hostage Release

Hamas officials say they have accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal that would suspend military operations for 60 days and exchange half of the roughly 20 remaining Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners in a phased process. The plan emerged after talks in Cairo involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and comes as Gaza health officials say 62 000 Palestinians have died in the 22 months of war. The proposal would be presented to Israel on the coming days amid domestic pressure in both societies to secure a deal that ends the fighting and the hostage crisis.

The arrangement would also involve continued discussions during the pause about a broader framework to end the conflict. Egypt has taken a more central mediator role as Israel weighs its next moves, including the possibility of a large ground operation in Gaza City that could displace hundreds of thousands of people. The talks occur alongside international concerns about civilian suffering and mounting calls for a sustainable path to peace.

If the plan moves forward, it would test Hamas's willingness to restrain military actions and Israel's readiness to trade a limited hostage release for wider concessions. The hostage issue remains the most politically sensitive lever, and any deal will require robust verification and guarantees to prevent a new cycle of violence. The talks also reflect a wider shift in regional diplomacy, with Egypt and Qatar coordinating with Washington and allied capitals to shape a framework that could outpace rigid demands for total victory.

The negotiations come at a moment of intense domestic pressure in Israel and growing international concern about civilian toll in Gaza. How leaders balance political credibility with humanitarian responsibilities will determine whether this pause translates into a durable ceasefire or a renewed phase of conflict. The coming days will reveal how much room there is for compromise and how much trust remains to be built between adversaries.

Highlights

The next steps will test whether a pause can become a path toward lasting peace.