Hamas announced Monday that it has accepted a new ceasefire and hostage exchange proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated he would proceed with a major offensive on Gaza City.
The Proposed Deal
The agreement would establish a 60-day pause in fighting and facilitate the release of approximately half of the 50 remaining Israeli hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive—in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners. The proposal builds on a framework introduced by Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in June.
“The Hamas movement and the Palestinian factions have conveyed their approval on the proposal presented yesterday by the Egyptian and Qatari mediators,” the group said in a statement.
Israeli Response Remains Unclear
Netanyahu’s office has previously stated it would only accept a deal requiring “all the hostages are released in one go.” However, in a video released after Hamas’s acceptance, the Israeli Prime Minister avoided directly addressing the proposal, suggesting Israel continues to weigh its options.
“We can see clearly that Hamas is under immense pressure,” Netanyahu said, while signaling plans to move forward with an operation to capture Gaza City, home to 740,000 civilians, and relocate residents to southern Gaza.
President Trump also expressed skepticism about ongoing negotiations, posting on social media: “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.”
International Mediation Efforts
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that mediators are “exerting extensive efforts” to revive ceasefire negotiations. Speaking during a visit to Egypt’s Rafah crossing—closed since Israel seized control of the Palestinian side in May 2024—Abdelatty was joined by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has also joined the talks, which include senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. According to Egyptian officials, the proposal includes modifications regarding Israeli force withdrawals and guarantees for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire during the initial truce period.
Public Pressure and Protests
The potential expansion of Israel’s offensive has sparked international condemnation and significant domestic opposition. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis participated in mass protests and a national general strike on Sunday, demanding the return of remaining hostages.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the Palestinian death toll has reached 62,004, with another 156,230 wounded. The ministry, which the UN considers a reliable source despite being part of the Hamas-run government, notes that women and children comprise approximately half of the fatalities.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with experts warning of impending famine. The Health Ministry reported Monday that five additional people, including two children, died from malnutrition-related causes. Since the conflict began, at least 112 children have died from malnutrition, with 151 adults dying from similar causes since June.
Amnesty International accused Israel of “carrying out a deliberate campaign of starvation,” allegations that Israel rejects, citing its allowance of food deliveries and blaming UN agencies for distribution failures.
The UN World Food Program reported a dramatic decline in meal production, with community kitchens in Gaza producing only 380,000 daily meals last week compared to over 1 million in April.
Background
The current conflict began with Hamas-led militants’ attack on October 7, 2023, during which they killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 individuals. Most hostages have since been released through previous ceasefires or other agreements, leaving an estimated 50 people still in Gaza.
Netanyahu has maintained his commitment to continue the war until all hostages return and Hamas is disarmed, while also establishing lasting security control over Gaza. Hamas has stated it will only release remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory.
