Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House announced Thursday. The 60-day pause in fighting would halt ongoing hostilities and allow for serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce.
Under the agreement, Israel would withdraw from its current positions and pull back to areas held during previous ceasefires, while Hamas would release 10 living hostages and several bodies in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The proposal also guarantees daily humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, where the blockade has pushed the population to the brink of famine.
Hamas officials have expressed a “cool” response to the Israeli-approved draft, but say they will study it more closely before giving a formal answer. A top Hamas official stated that the Zionist response does not address any of their people’s demands, including an end to the war and famine.
The ceasefire proposal comes after months of talks brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, with no indication that previous disputes have been resolved. The latest development suggests a glimmer of hope for negotiations, but experts warn that a lasting resolution remains distant due to deep-seated issues between Israel and Hamas.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all hostages are released and Hamas is destroyed or disarmed. However, Hamas wants a permanent ceasefire in exchange for releasing more prisoners and surrendering power to a committee of independent Palestinians. The dispute over a temporary versus permanent ceasefire has bedeviled talks for over a year and a half.
The proposed 60-day pause would grant Israel time to address concerns about Hamas rebuilding its military might, while also allowing the group to secure concessions on their demands. Nevertheless, Netanyahu faces domestic opposition and pressure from his far-right coalition partners, making it uncertain whether he can agree to a ceasefire that could strengthen Hamas’s influence in Gaza.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinians-gaza-ceasefire-news-36552d00b533d2bb98ff1f321e0875d4