Making a push for a truce in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip

As the conflict in Gaza continues, negotiations for a ceasefire are ongoing, with mediators proposing a deal that includes a 60-day truce, the release of about half the living hostages, the return of more Palestinian prisoners by Israel, and talks toward a full end to the conflict. Hamas officials have shown a "positive response" to this plan [1]. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shifted his position from accepting a partial release of hostages at the start of the ceasefire to insisting on the full release of all hostages simultaneously as a precondition. Netanyahu's stance is supported by far-right parties in his coalition and endorsed by former US President Donald Trump [1].

Recent efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have involved mediation attempts to push forward this ceasefire proposal. Qatari mediators described their plan as "almost identical" to an American proposal previously accepted by Israel, indicating active coordination among these states to broker the deal [1].

Aid organizations have warned of a looming famine in the Gaza Strip, but the Cogat authority published a report showing "no signs of widespread malnutrition" among the population. The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for more support for the suffering people in the besieged Gaza Strip and urged Israel to allow more trucks in and facilitate better aid distribution. However, Israel accuses Hamas of a deliberate campaign to generate international pressure on the country by creating a looming famine in the Gaza Strip [1].

The war in Gaza erupted on October 7, 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 were taken as hostages to Gaza. More than 61,000 people have been killed since the war began, according to the health authority controlled by Hamas in Gaza. The figures of malnutrition-related deaths could not be independently verified [1].

Netanyahu has stated that given Hamas' refusal to lay down its weapons, Israel has no choice but to take military action. US businessman Bishara Bahbah, a confidant of US President Donald Trump, has called for both warring parties to return to the negotiating table immediately. Bahbah warned that comprehensive agreement negotiations could take months and advocated for a 60-day ceasefire [1].

The US and Qatar are working on a new proposal for a comprehensive agreement to release the hostages and end the war. US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss this new proposal. The EU condemned the killing of Al-Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Shehri and four other staff members by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip [1].

However, concerns about the credibility of data regarding malnutrition-related deaths have arisen. During indirect negotiations for a ceasefire in July, the number of malnutrition-related deaths reported by the Hamas-controlled health authority increased, but a thorough review of various platforms showed a lower number, raising doubts about the credibility of the data [1].

Netanyahu is reportedly only ready for negotiations on an agreement if it includes the release of all remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip and ends the war on Israeli terms, with Hamas laying down its weapons. US President Trump does not believe Hamas will release hostages in its current situation [1].

Trump has referred to the massacre by Hamas and other terror groups on October 7, 2023, stating "Remember October 7th, remember October 7th." As the negotiations continue, the international community, aid organisations, and the warring parties themselves remain hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza.

[1] Based on provided bullet points.