Hamas agrees to the ceasefire proposition in its original form.
In the Gaza Strip, the ceasefire proposal, initially submitted by Egypt and Qatar and updated from the proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, has effectively broken as of mid-March 2025. Despite intense calls for a renewed ceasefire by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, active hostilities continue to escalate.
The breakdown of the ceasefire, which had enabled eight rounds of hostages-and-prisoners exchanges from January to March 2025, has stalled ongoing negotiations and hostage releases. Israel's resumption of military action was triggered by Hamas's refusal to release hostages and extended rejection of ceasefire proposals.
The current conflict has significantly impacted the civilian population in Gaza, with extensive airstrikes and destruction in Gaza City. There are concerns that the Israeli offensive, if carried out, could exacerbate the already catastrophic situation.
Recent developments suggest that the Israeli Security Cabinet has decided to escalate the Gaza war, planning a takeover of Gaza City and central refugee camps to dismantle Hamas. The Islamic terrorist organization Hamas has given a positive response to a new ceasefire proposal, but the details of the plan have not been disclosed.
The planned evacuation of the city of Gaza, which houses a million people, is estimated to begin no earlier than two weeks from now. However, there are concerns that the offensive could lead to a high price for Israeli troops. The military chief, Eyal Zamir, has warned of significant risks to soldiers and remaining hostages in the planned operation.
It is worth noting that the delegations of the USA and Israel have been recalled to their respective capitals for consultations. Media speculation suggests that the announcement of the Israeli plan could be a negotiating tactic to put pressure on Hamas to return to the negotiating table and show more flexibility.
As of late August 2025, the ceasefire remains unimplemented, and ceasefire negotiations are still ongoing, with international mediators working behind the scenes to achieve a new ceasefire in the almost two-year-old Gaza war. The updated proposal includes the release of ten live hostages and the bodies of 18 abductees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
In summary:
- The ceasefire proposal, initially accepted but broken by Israel on 18 March 2025, has not been renewed since then.
- The breakdown of the ceasefire has negatively affected ongoing negotiations and hostage releases.
- Intense Israeli military operations and destruction in Gaza continue, with UN calls for ceasefire unheeded.
- The Israeli offensive could exacerbate the already catastrophic situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
- The Israeli Security Cabinet has decided to escalate the Gaza war, planning a takeover of Gaza City and central refugee camps to dismantle Hamas.
- The planned evacuation of the city of Gaza is estimated to begin no earlier than two weeks from now.
- There are concerns that the offensive could lead to a high price for Israeli troops.
- The military chief, Eyal Zamir, has warned of significant risks to soldiers and remaining hostages in the planned operation.
- Media speculation suggests that the announcement of the Israeli plan could be a negotiating tactic to put pressure on Hamas to return to the negotiating table and show more flexibility.
- The ceasefire negotiations are still ongoing, with international mediators working behind the scenes to achieve a new ceasefire.
- The updated proposal includes the release of ten live hostages and the bodies of 18 abductees in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The empty ceasefire proposal, initially submitted and later broken by Israel in mid-March 2025, has yet to be renewed, and ongoing peace and security negotiations have stalled because of it. The intensified Israeli military actions, politically questionable, continue despite calls for peace by the United Nations Secretary-General, potentially exacerbating the critical situation in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, details of a new ceasefire proposal have been agreed upon by Hamas, but they remain classified, as International mediators work tirelessly behind the scenes to restore peace and security.
