As talks over a US-backed ceasefire for Gaza intensify, Hamas is seeking firm guarantees that any temporary truce will eventually lead to a complete end to the ongoing war with Israel, even as Israeli strikes continue to kill civilians in the enclave. The negotiations come nearly 21 months into the conflict, with the humanitarian crisis deepening and international pressure mounting for a resolution.
Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Gains Traction
Efforts for a ceasefire accelerated after the United States brokered a 12-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran, leading to renewed momentum for a Gaza truce. US President Donald Trump announced that Israel had agreed to a proposed 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, under which talks would continue to end the war. Hamas, however, has stressed the need for clear guarantees that the temporary ceasefire will translate into a permanent end to the conflict. Discussions within Hamas and other Palestinian factions are ongoing, with mediators from Egypt and Qatar working to secure US and international assurances to support the agreement.
Israeli officials have expressed cautious optimism, with preparations underway to approve a ceasefire deal if Hamas responds positively. A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that Israel expects a response from Hamas soon, and if favorable, an Israeli delegation will participate in indirect talks to finalise the ceasefire and hostage exchange arrangement.
Hostage Deal and Aid Entry Conditions
The ceasefire proposal reportedly includes the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of 18 bodies in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Out of the 50 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, around 20 are thought to be alive. The proposal also outlines the immediate entry of aid into Gaza and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of the enclave while negotiations for a permanent ceasefire continue.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee emphasised the shared desire among the US, Israel, and their citizens for the conflict to end, adding that he would participate in talks at the White House next week during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with President Trump.
Continued Strikes and Humanitarian Crisis
Despite the ongoing ceasefire discussions, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continued on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least 59 people, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Medics at Nasser Hospital reported that 20 individuals were killed while en route to receive aid, and another 17 people were killed in a strike on a school in Gaza City, where civilians were sheltering. The Israeli military stated that it had targeted a Hamas gunman while taking precautions to minimise civilian casualties, but the destruction left families devastated, with one survivor questioning the fairness of children dying in the attacks.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched a deadly attack inside Israel, has since led to the deaths of over 57,000 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2 million residents, and left the territory in ruins, according to the Gaza health ministry. While Israel maintains that it will not end the war as long as Hamas remains armed and in power in Gaza, Hamas has signaled its willingness to release all hostages if Israel agrees to end the conflict, even as the militant group insists it will not disarm.
The ongoing negotiations highlight the fragile yet critical opportunity for a ceasefire that could pave the way for long-term peace, even as the people of Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
