Egypt Daily News – Israel is currently evaluating a response from Hamas to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal that could pause fighting in Gaza for 60 days and potentially pave the way toward broader negotiations to end the nearly year-long war. According to officials familiar with the matter, the proposal includes the release of half the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for a partial Israeli military withdrawal and increased humanitarian aid to the besieged strip.
The renewed push for a ceasefire has gained momentum following Israel’s announcement of plans to launch a full-scale ground offensive into Gaza City a move that has raised alarm internationally and among the roughly one million civilians still living in the city.
Terms of the Proposal
Under the proposal, Hamas would release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 others in exchange for Israel freeing 200 Palestinian prisoners and an unspecified number of women and minors from Israeli jails. Hamas has also demanded the release of hundreds of detainees from Gaza.
The framework, supported by Egypt and Qatar and brokered through indirect negotiations, also includes provisions for a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where the Israeli military currently controls around 75% of the territory. Humanitarian organizations have described Gaza as teetering on the edge of famine due to restricted access to food, water, and medicine.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the proposal outlines a pathway toward a “comprehensive agreement to end the war.”
Mixed Signals from the Ground
Despite these diplomatic developments, the situation on the ground remains dire. On Tuesday alone, at least 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling, and gunfire, according to Gaza health officials. Israeli tanks reportedly completed their takeover of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza City and continued bombardment of the nearby Sabra district, resulting in further civilian casualties.
Local officials reported that entire families remain trapped in their homes, unable to flee due to ongoing shelling. The Israeli military has said it is verifying these reports and continues to operate in the area to “locate weapons, tunnels, and militants.”
Nusra Ali, a 54-year-old mother of five in Sabra, described the night as “one of the worst we’ve experienced.” Speaking to Reuters via a messaging app, she said: “I was planning to flee with my children, but when I heard there might be a ceasefire, I thought I’d wait another day or two to see what happens. If nothing changes, I’ll leave.”
Thousands have already fled Gaza City in recent days, fearing a full Israeli ground assault.
Growing Political Pressure in Israel
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from both the public and within his own government. On Sunday, tens of thousands of Israelis participated in one of the largest anti-war demonstrations since the conflict began, demanding a deal to secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the fighting.
Two senior Israeli officials confirmed that Netanyahu is expected to convene high-level discussions on the ceasefire proposal in the coming days. A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said an Israeli response could come within 48 hours.
However, Netanyahu faces stiff resistance from hardline members of his ruling coalition, particularly Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Both ministers vehemently oppose any truce with Hamas and have publicly called for Israel to continue the war until Hamas is fully defeated and Gaza is annexed.
Hamas Signals Willingness, But Gaps Remain
Hamas has reportedly accepted the proposal without introducing new conditions a notable shift from previous negotiation rounds that collapsed in July. Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq described the ceasefire offer as a “temporary agreement” intended to create space for more substantive talks to end the war.
Despite this apparent softening of Hamas’s stance, significant gaps remain. Israel continues to insist that any long-term resolution must include the disarmament of Hamas and the removal of its leadership from Gaza conditions that Hamas has categorically rejected.
Devastating Toll
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military response has been overwhelming, with more than 61,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza health authorities. The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, displaced the vast majority of its population, and triggered a humanitarian crisis described by aid groups as one of the worst in modern history.
As the violence continues and the window for diplomacy narrows, the latest ceasefire proposal presents a critical opportunity albeit fragile to halt the bloodshed and lay the groundwork for a political resolution. Whether Israel and Hamas can bridge their deep mistrust and longstanding demands remains uncertain. For now, both sides face increasing pressure to act before the cost of inaction becomes even more catastrophic.
