Ceasefire talks under pressure

Hamas accepts a ceasefire proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators as talks focus on a 60-day truce and hostage exchanges.

Ceasefire Talks Raise Stakes in Gaza War

Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire proposal developed by Egypt and Qatar to pause fighting in Gaza for 60 days. The plan would see Israeli forces pull back to a buffer zone of 800 meters into Gaza and could include the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases, in exchange for about 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, including 200 serving life sentences. About 600 trucks of humanitarian aid would enter Gaza daily. The specifics have not been published, and Israel has not publicly accepted the deal. Hamas has stated it seeks a lasting ceasefire and the end of Israeli occupation.

Israel says it will continue the war until Hamas is defeated and disarmed. Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled he could halt fighting temporarily for hostage release but would not end the war until Hamas is destroyed. The United States is playing a key role, with former Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff involved. Washington's stance could shape whether Israel accepts the plan, which would require Security Cabinet approval. The plan would also intensify humanitarian aid but the broader peace process remains uncertain as casualties on both sides mount.

The proposal tests regional diplomacy as much as military strategy. Egypt and Qatar face pressure from their own publics while trying to broker a deal that could ease Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and buy time for talks on a longer peace. The plan’s success depends on trust that has frayed after years of conflict and repeated truces.

Public and political risk shapes the talks. If the ceasefire falters or if the hostage release does not unfold as promised, hardliners on both sides could gain ground and drive the cycle of violence anew. The United States' role remains pivotal, and American policy signals will likely tilt whether Israel can absorb concessions and pause operations long enough for a broader political settlement. In Gaza, civilians weigh the relief from aid against ongoing deprivation and displacement, while Israel faces scrutiny over its military aims and the human cost of occupation.

Highlights

Diplomacy will have to prove it can outpace a conflict whose damage has already been counted in lives.