Hamas stands eager and ready to commence negotiations for an immediate truce regarding the conflict in Gaza.
A 60-day truce proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has been put forward, with several significant components. The proposal includes hostage releases, Israeli military withdrawal, humanitarian aid delivery, prisoner exchanges, and negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas has responded positively to the truce offer and expressed readiness to commence proximity talks to address outstanding issues. However, the militant group has three reservations on core issues. Hamas wants clearer language ensuring that negotiations on a permanent ceasefire continue until an agreement is reached, without conditions like "good faith" negotiations that could be exploited to end talks prematurely. Israel opposes removing the “good faith” condition, concerned that Hamas might drag negotiations indefinitely.
The proposal does not guarantee a permanent end to the war but states that negotiations for such a ceasefire will take place during the 60 days. Notably, it includes a personal guarantee from former President Donald Trump that Israel will adhere to halting military operations during this period, and Trump would announce the ceasefire agreement himself. This is intended to reassure Hamas, given that previous ceasefires were broken unilaterally by Israel when talks stalled.
The final agreement hinges on resolving disagreements about the duration and guarantees of permanent ceasefire talks, hostage/prisoner exchange numbers, and humanitarian aid distribution mechanisms. The presence of Trump’s personal guarantee is a new element aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire's adherence.
The war in Gaza began with a Hamas attack in October 2023. Since then, Israel's retaliatory military campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 57,268 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. This figure is considered reliable by the United Nations. On Saturday, Israeli military operations killed 20 people across Gaza, including five in a strike on a school in Gaza City.
Many Gazans have sought shelter in schools and other public buildings since the war began in October 2023. President Donald Trump is pushing for an end to the war in Gaza, now in its 21st month. The Israeli military offensive against Hamas, which aims to destroy Hamas and bring home all hostages seized by the group, is ongoing.
The latest truce proposal includes a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Consultations were held by Hamas with other Palestinian factions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday.
As the negotiations continue, the international community urges both parties to prioritise the well-being of civilians and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated significantly over the past 21 months, affecting over two million people.
- The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began in October 2023, has resulted in massive civilian casualties, with at least 57,268 deaths reported by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry and considered reliable by the United Nations.
- In an effort to end the prolonged war, Hamas has put forward a condition in the latest truce proposal for clearer language in negotiations on a permanent ceasefire, ensuring continued talks until an agreement is reached, without premature endings due to conditions like "good faith" negotiations.
- The international community is urging both parties to prioritize the well-being of civilians and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, as the humanitarian conditions in Gaza have significantly deteriorated over the past 21 months, affecting over two million people.
- The truce proposal also includes focus on general news issues such as crime and justice, politics, and car accidents, as both sides negotiate the release of hostages and prisoners, and discuss the distribution mechanisms for humanitarian aid.
