Smoke rises after Israel strike in Khan Younis, as a new proposal calls for realising hostages and prisinors. Image-Mariam Dagga/Associated Press.
Officials reported on Monday that Hamas has agreed to a fresh ceasefire agreement for Gaza that was negotiated by Egypt and Qatar. The agreement, according to two diplomats and an Egyptian official, includes the release of Palestinian inmates and Israeli captives. The plan’s approval by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still uncertain. Israel’s position on the idea has not yet been verified by his office. As Israel readied itself for a potential ground assault on Gaza City, Qatar and Egypt stepped up their mediation efforts. According to the strategy, Israel must enhance humanitarian supplies into Gaza while redeploying its military there. According to officials, the aid will help Palestinians in their immediate need.
The suggested parameters, which include a temporary truce and a plan for ending the war, are like those that Israel has previously agreed to. Previous accords permitted the exchange of Palestinian captives for the release of half of the remaining hostages. A more comprehensive follow-up agreement would release the other captives. On Sunday, Hamas declared that it and other Palestinian organisations had accepted the idea. The agreement was delivered by mediators in Doha and Cairo. Because ongoing diplomacy is sensitive, officials spoke anonymously.
Hamas Agrees to Cease-Fire, But Israel’s Approval Remains Unclear
Prior discussions sparked optimism but swiftly broke down, frustrating both Israelis and Palestinians. Hostage families are still very worried because they think the fighting is putting their loved ones at risk in Gaza. Up to 20 captives are reportedly still being held alive by extremists, according to Israeli police. Additionally, they assert that 30 more people’s bodies are still in Gaza. Since Hamas’s October 7 onslaught that started the conflict, more than 60,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians.
Netanyahu spoke with the Israeli army and Defence Minister Israel Katz about military plans.He did not mention Gaza City or the proposed ceasefire.Netanyahu said Hamas faces “immense pressure” despite ongoing conflict.Last week, he rejected partial hostage agreements, signaling he wants all hostages released immediately.Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, told hostage families that the president now supports “all or nothing” negotiations.Witkoff added that Trump’s team has a strategy but did not reveal specific details.
Hamas insists that Israel must stop the conflict before it will free all the captives. However, Hamas has refused to comply with Netanyahu’s calls for complete disarmament. In this round of negotiations, Hamas has shown unprecedented flexibility, according to two Israeli officials. They said that Hamas changed its stance on almost all contentious issues. Trump, however, expressed support for Israel’s Gaza campaign. “Hostages return only when Hamas is destroyed,” he said on Truth Social.
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