Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a potential turning point in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Hamas announced its acceptance of a new ceasefire proposal presented by international mediators. The announcement came via a statement from senior Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim, who wrote on social media: “The movement has accepted the new proposal from the mediators. We pray to God that this war’s fire is extinguished upon our people.”
While Hamas has confirmed its acceptance, the contents of the new proposal remain unclear, and it is still uncertain who exactly tabled it. Israeli officials say they have yet to receive any formal communication from mediators.
An Israeli source familiar with the matter said: “Israel has not received anything from the mediators yet,” suggesting that the path forward remains uncertain despite the public announcement by Hamas.
Renewed Diplomatic Activity in Cairo
The development coincides with renewed diplomatic momentum in the region. On Monday, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Cairo to engage in talks on the ceasefire process. His visit follows a weekend meeting in Spain between Qatari officials and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to Egyptian officials, the latest diplomatic efforts have aimed to revive a previously discussed framework that includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of approximately half of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages, of whom only around 20 are believed to still be alive.
Stalled Talks and Difficult Demands
Previous rounds of negotiations, which began with cautious optimism, collapsed in late July after the United States and Israel pulled out, accusing Hamas of negotiating in bad faith. Key sticking points have included:
- The number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Israeli hostages
- The scope and depth of an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza during the truce
- The size of the Israeli-declared buffer zone within the enclave
- Hamas’s demand for a comprehensive end to the war—something Israel has repeatedly rejected
These unresolved issues have derailed past negotiations and may continue to threaten the fragile prospects for a deal unless compromise is found.
Mounting Pressure on All Sides
The pressure to secure a ceasefire has intensified in recent days, particularly following mounting public anger within Israel. The Forum of Families of Israeli Hostages has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of jeopardizing potential deals and warned that the lives of hostages in Gaza are at serious risk.
“We will not allow Netanyahu to sabotage another agreement,” the forum said in a statement. “The hostages still alive in Gaza are in a critical condition.”
Meanwhile, deadly Israeli airstrikes continue across Gaza, and retaliatory rocket fire persists from militant factions, deepening the humanitarian crisis on the ground. The international community especially Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, remains eager to contain the violence and prevent a broader regional escalation.
A Glimmer of Hope or Another False Dawn?
With Hamas publicly endorsing the proposal and fresh talks underway in Cairo, the coming days may prove decisive. Yet, given the collapse of previous efforts, skepticism remains high.
For now, the region watches and waits hopeful that behind the opaque diplomatic language and conflicting narratives lies a real chance to end one of the most protracted and devastating chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in recent memory.
