Hamas has told mediators that it has accepted the latest ceasefire proposal for Gaza and is ready to restart negotiations aimed at ending Israel’s war on the enclave. Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war waged by Israel and Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis which involves displacement and starvation.
Key Points of Israel-Hamas Proposal: Aid, Prisoner Swaps, and a 60-Day Pause
According to a source familiar with the talks, the proposal calls for a 60-day pause in fighting. During this period, Israeli forces would pull back to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The deal also includes an exchange: half of the 50 Israeli captives held in Gaza would be freed in return for Palestinian prisoners. The source described this as “the beginning of the path to a comprehensive solution.”
However, peace could still be a far-fetched idea despite the recent developments. The last two years have seen Hamas greenlighting several peace deals, only for Israel to dismiss them. Reports say that main reason for rejection of ceasefire is the duration of it as Hamas wants a complete halt to war but Israel seeks temporary pause to the war in which it can free the hostages but press on the offensive in Gaza later.
Despite the new proposal, Israel is pressing forward with plans to take control of Gaza City. The city, once Gaza’s largest and most vibrant, is now under heavy bombardment as the Israeli army prepares to force out hundreds of thousands of residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had met with top military officials and concluded that “Hamas is under atomic pressure.” Defence Minister Israel Katz added that Hamas was willing to consider a deal only because it feared Israel was determined to capture Gaza City.
Highly Unlikely Israel Will Agree to Deal
Not all Israeli leaders support negotiations. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has openly opposed any ceasefire, saying Hamas is only pushing for a deal to save itself. He argued that Israel must not give the group “a lifeline.”
Meanwhile, international criticism of Israel’s tactics is growing. Amnesty International accused Israel of deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza. In a new report, the group quoted displaced families and doctors treating malnourished children, warning that famine is becoming a reality. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have also condemned Israel for blocking aid deliveries into Gaza, saying the policy is worsening the suffering of millions of Palestinians.
Also Read: Gaza Under Fire: 62,000 Dead as Israel Pushes for Final Assault to Capture City
