Israel has said it will deliver its response to international mediators by Friday regarding a new Gaza ceasefire proposal accepted by Hamas, amid growing pressure to halt a war that has claimed more than 62,000 Palestinian lives.
The development follows mass demonstrations in Israel demanding an agreement to secure the release of the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza. Reports suggest Hamas has softened its position on conditions for a prisoners-for-hostages exchange and on Israel’s demand for a “security buffer zone”.
Under the reported terms, roughly half of the surviving hostages, along with the bodies of others, would be freed in stages during a 60-day truce. In exchange, Israel would release about 150 Palestinian prisoners, including some serving life sentences.
Israel has insisted it is no longer willing to accept a partial agreement, threatening instead a major new offensive to retake Gaza City. Nonetheless, the proposal closely resembles a plan originally outlined by Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Despite Israel’s public stance, Mossad chief David Barnea recently travelled to Qatar, fuelling speculation that negotiations are more advanced than acknowledged. Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday the latest Hamas proposal was “almost identical” to one Israel had previously accepted. “Hamas gave a very positive response,” a spokesperson added.
Egypt confirmed it had joined Qatar in presenting the new framework to Israel, stating: “The ball is now in its court.” Egyptian officials have reportedly urged Hamas to compromise further, including the possible handover of its weapons into temporary Egyptian custody to bridge the gap on Israel’s demand for Gaza’s demilitarisation.
Attention shifted to Israel
With Hamas signalling agreement, attention has shifted to Israel, which faces mounting international pressure to endorse a ceasefire as conditions of mass starvation intensify under Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid to the territory.
