Ceasefire in Gaza is at its closest point in months; here's a round-up of the current situation.
In recent days, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli strikes, but there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. US President Donald Trump is optimistic about a potential ceasefire deal in Gaza next week, following renewed efforts for a truce that have been gathering steam since the truce between Iran and Israel on June 24.
Key players, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have redoubled their calls for a new Gaza truce. Hamas has also expressed a positive response to a proposal for a 60-day truce with Israel, with three main demands: a permanent end to the fighting, for humanitarian assistance to be carried out by the United Nations, and for Israel to retreat to the positions it held on March 2 this year.
The proposed ceasefire deal includes several specific terms focused on hostage release, humanitarian aid, and a temporary truce, with the possibility of extension.
**Duration:** A 60-day ceasefire period, with a commitment from the US ensuring Israel's obligation to uphold the ceasefire for the full duration.
**Hostage Release:** Hamas would release a total of 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others over the 60 days, in five phases. The first day would see 8 living hostages released, followed by the delivery of 5 deceased remains on day 7, and so on. Hamas is also restricted from conducting televised handover events to avoid public displays.
**Humanitarian Aid:** Aid will enter Gaza immediately after Hamas accepts the ceasefire, including large quantities distributed through agreed international channels like the UN and the Red Crescent.
**Israeli Military Activity:** All offensive Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) military actions in Gaza will cease once the agreement takes effect, and aerial activity over Gaza will be halted for about 10-12 hours daily during the ceasefire.
**Prisoner Exchange:** In exchange for hostage returns, Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and withdraw its forces from pre-agreed locations in northern Gaza.
**Extension and Negotiations:** The ceasefire could be extended beyond the initial 60 days if both sides continue negotiating in good faith towards a permanent ceasefire. However, Hamas has expressed reservations about conditions linking extension to good faith, fearing it could be exploited by Israel to resume hostilities. Hamas wants talks to continue until a permanent agreement is reached, which Israel opposes due to concerns about indefinite delays.
This framework represents a significant development towards ending the conflict with phased humanitarian concessions and a temporary truce, but it faces hurdles related to permanent ceasefire terms and detailed prisoner arrangements.
Israel's demands include the disarmament of Gaza and the destruction of Hamas' military capabilities and governance abilities. Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian deliveries to the enclave in March. At least 20 of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive, according to the Israeli government.
The latest proposal for a Gaza truce includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages over a 60-day period. Netanyahu's government has faced mounting international criticism for the suffering its war is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. The ceasefire, if successful, could bring much-needed relief to the people of Gaza and potentially mark a turning point in the long-running conflict.
The latest proposal for a Gaza truce has garnered attention in both the realm of politics and general-news, as key players like Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have pushed for a new ceasefire. The proposed deal, if successful, could bring much-needed relief to the people of Gaza and potentially mark a turning point in the long-running conflict, as it includes the release of 10 living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages over a 60-day period.
