Intense bombardment by Israel in Gaza City causes a death toll of 123 in the past 24 hours
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, both parties have put forth their proposals for a ceasefire. The latest development came on August 22, 2025, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a willingness to restart ceasefire talks with Hamas, contingent upon the release of the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Netanyahu's stance was prompted by mass protests by hostage families, expressing concerns over escalating hostilities. This statement followed Israel's intensified military offensive in Gaza.
The proposed ceasefire agreement revolves around three main conditions:
- Humanitarian Aid: The amount of aid allowed into Gaza and the entities responsible for managing its distribution is a key point of contention. Israel has accused Hamas of stealing aid, while the UN and Palestinians claim that aid remains far from sufficient. In the past 24 hours, the Israeli military has allowed nearly 320 trucks of aid, along with fuel and air-dropped aid, to enter Gaza.
- Troop Withdrawal and Buffer Zones: The areas to which Israeli forces would withdraw during the ceasefire and the establishment of a mutually agreed buffer zone around Gaza are also under discussion. Israel has taken steps to increase supplies, including daily combat pauses and protected routes for convoys. However, Israel disputes the malnutrition and hunger figures reported by the Gaza health ministry.
- Prisoner Exchanges: A significant portion of Palestinian captives would be released by Israel in exchange for releasing roughly half of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in more than 61,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to local health officials.
Hamas, on the other hand, is open to ideas for ending the war if Israel ends its offensive and withdraws. However, laying down arms before the occupation is dismissed. Hamas chief negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya is currently meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo to discuss stopping the war, delivering aid, and ending the suffering of the people in Gaza.
The ceasefire negotiations have encountered significant hurdles. Israel currently demands hostage releases as a precondition for talks, while Hamas awaits renewed engagement over detailed amendments proposed earlier. The ceasefire remains fragile and subject to developments on these core issues.
Twenty-four nations have decried the "unimaginable levels" of suffering in Gaza and urged Israel to allow unrestricted aid. Eight more people, including three children, have died of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 235, including 106 children, since the war began.
The international community, including Arab states, want post-war Gaza to be governed by the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited governance in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The authority's foreign minister is ready to assume full responsibility in Gaza, with Hamas having no role and being required to hand over arms. However, Israel does not trust the PA to rule Gaza.
The war began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas-led militants storming into southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israeli planes and tanks heavily bombed Eastern areas of Gaza City, causing destruction in the Zeitoun and Shejaia neighborhoods. Tanks destroyed several houses in the east of Khan Younis in south Gaza.
The current status of the ceasefire negotiations is stalled, but with some possibility of resumption. In July 2025, Hamas made detailed amendments to a U.S.-promoted ceasefire framework during indirect talks in Doha. The amendments focused on aid distribution, Israeli troop withdrawal, buffer zones, and prisoner exchanges. Regional mediators from Qatar and Egypt found Hamas' amendments reasonable and hoped for a deal. However, Israel withdrew its negotiating team, and the U.S. accused Hamas of sabotaging the talks, which Hamas denies.
[1] Source: The New York Times [2] Source: The Guardian
The ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, though challenging, have been influenced by the general news of mass protests by hostage families and the international community's concern over the escalating war-and-conflicts in Gaza. The ceasefire, contingent on several conditions like humanitarian aid, troop withdrawal, and prisoner exchanges, is also influencing politics both domestically and internationally. Moreover, crime-and-justice issues remain a concern as ongoing hostilities have led to several fatalities, including accidental deaths.
