Israel's administration expresses that a majority of its executive branch endorses a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a significant development, the Netanyahu government has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal in Gaza, according to US President Donald Trump. The agreement, which is still pending Hamas' acceptance, is expected to bring an end to the ongoing conflict that began following an October 2023 assault by Hamas-led armed men that claimed the lives of 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
The ceasefire proposal, initially presented by US special envoy Steve Witkoff in May, includes conditions where Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 dead hostages taken during the October 2023 attack. In exchange, Israel would release a significant number of Palestinian detainees, including 125 serving life sentences, 1,111 detainees, and 180 deceased Palestinians.
However, the exact terms of the latest ceasefire proposal have not been fully disclosed. The final proposal is expected to be delivered by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, who have previously helped facilitate talks with Hamas.
Hamas has not officially rejected the proposal but has stated that its conditions for ending the war include a definitive end to the attacks. The group demands the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave as a condition for ending the war.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has stated that a majority of the government supports a ceasefire in Gaza. However, the end of the war, according to Israel, must imply the elimination of Hamas from power and the dismantling of its military wing.
The current status of the ceasefire is that Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the ceasefire. Trump announced that during this period, efforts will be made to work with all parties to end the war.
The military operations in Gaza continue, with explosions reported in the north of the enclave and a new missile attack on the Jan Yunis refugee camp. At least 47 Palestinians were killed while sleeping in the recent Israeli operations, including eight women and six children.
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which ended last month's hostilities, has provided a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution in Gaza. Trump wants to take advantage of the momentum obtained with the ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran to also achieve an agreement in Gaza.
As the world waits for Hamas' response, the focus remains on the potential for peace in the Middle East. The ceasefire proposal, if accepted, could mark a significant step towards ending the conflict and bringing stability to the region.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-agrees-60-day-gaza-truce-us-2025-07-02 [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57631757 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/2/israel-agrees-to-60-day-gaza-truce-us-president-announces
- The recent ceasefire proposal in Gaza, which includes the release of Palestinian detainees and hostages by Israel, could potentially be a significant average in averageing the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East.
- As the world awaits Hamas' response, the focus remains on the potential for peace in the Middle East, with politics and general-news outlets closely monitoring the developments in the region for signs of either a resolution or further escalation.
