Mediators await Israel’s response after Hamas accepted a Qatar-Egypt ceasefire plan offering a 60-day truce and phased hostage releases.
Jerusalem
Arab mediators are awaiting Israel’s reply after Hamas announced it had accepted a new ceasefire and hostage release proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt. The plan, described by Qatar as nearly identical to a recent U.S. initiative, calls for a 60-day truce during which half of the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza—20 believed to be alive—would be released, while talks begin on a permanent ceasefire and the release of the rest.
Israel has repeatedly insisted it will only accept a comprehensive deal ensuring the release of all hostages alongside key conditions for ending the war, including Hamas’s disarmament and new governance in Gaza. However, Israeli media reportsthat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out considering the latest proposal.
Hamas officials stressed that they sought no changes to the plan, calling it a partial step toward a final agreement. They hope the two-month pause will provide enough space to conclude a permanent settlement.
Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to approve a military plan to occupy Gaza City, where heavy strikes have already forced thousands to flee. Netanyahu has vowed to conquer all of Gaza, saying Hamas is under “immense pressure,” while critics warn further offensives could endanger hostages.
The proposal closely mirrors U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s earlier plan, which Israel accepted but Hamas rejected for lacking guarantees of a lasting truce. With public pressure mounting, hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv demanding a deal to bring hostages home.
Since October 2023, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed over 62,000 people, displaced most of the territory’s 2.1 million residents, and pushed it to the brink of famine, according to humanitarian agencies.
