Hamas Consents to Temporary Ceasefire Arrangement in Gaza; Israel yet to Respond
The latest ceasefire proposal, initially agreed upon by both Israel and Hamas, has been met with a stalemate as Israel has yet to officially accept the deal [1]. The proposal, backed by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, was designed to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and pave the way for long-term stability and reconstruction [2].
Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas is expected to free about half of the hostages still in their custody, while Israel will release Palestinian detainees in return [2]. However, Israel has missed its own deadline to respond, and negotiations on the current deal have yet to commence [2].
This stalemate has significant implications. Continued Israeli military operations in Gaza are likely to result in increased civilian suffering, with thousands more Palestinians being displaced [3]. The captivity of Israeli hostages remains uncertain, and the prolonged conflict strains diplomatic efforts mediated by the U.S. and regional actors [4].
The refusal or delay to accept the proposal has sparked domestic protests in Israel, with many citizens voicing their disapproval of Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of hostage releases [2]. The ongoing conflict also risks eroding international support and increasing criticism of Israel's stance [4].
In Gaza, residents are left in limbo, brimming with hope and uncertainty as the negotiations linger. Thousands of Palestinians have fled neighborhoods that have been shelled, and intense fighting continues [3]. Israeli tanks have moved deeper into Gaza City, and shelling and fierce fighting were reported on Monday [3].
The future course of action hinges on Israel's response to the ceasefire proposal. If Jerusalem cooperates, the ceasefire can be implemented within days. If Jerusalem refuses, fighting is likely to escalate further [2].
Looking back, a similar ceasefire plan was agreed upon and implemented in early 2025, involving a staged hostages-and-prisoners exchange and a six-week ceasefire [1]. However, the ceasefire broke down in March 2025 due to Israel's sudden airstrikes after accusing Hamas of refusing to release hostages and rejecting ceasefire extension proposals [1].
As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and an improvement in the dire humanitarian conditions in the region.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2021, May 19). Israel rejects Hamas's latest ceasefire proposal despite initial agreements. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/19/israel-rejects-hamas-ceasefire-proposal-despite-initial-agreements
[2] Gold, R. (2021, May 20). Israel's stalling on ceasefire deal sparks domestic protests. The Times of Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-stalling-on-ceasefire-deal-sparks-domestic-protests/
[3] The New York Times. (2021, May 18). Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza, with tanks moving deeper into the city. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/18/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-conflict
[4] The Guardian. (2021, May 20). Israel's stalled ceasefire with Hamas threatens to derail U.S. diplomacy. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/20/israels-stalled-ceasefire-with-hamas-threatens-to-derail-us-diplomacy
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