U.S. reports Israel's acceptance of Gaza truce proposal; Hamas demonstrates reservations.
Israel has agreed to a U.S.-mediated ceasefire proposal for the long-standing conflict in Gaza, the White House announced on Thursday. However, Hamas has not yet fully endorsed the plan, expressing reservations about its terms not meeting their demands.
According to Israeli media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu communicated to the families of the hostages being held in Gaza that Israel had accepted a deal proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. In Washington, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed Israel's approval of the proposal but declined to provide further details on its contents.
The New York Times reported that the initial phase of the proposed ceasefire would encompass a 60-day truce accompanied by the delivery of humanitarian aid through United Nations-run operations. Hamas has been reviewing this proposal, with senior official Sami Abu Zuhri stating that the group was still discussing the terms. Abu Zuhri pointed out that the proposal echoes Israel's position and lacks commitments to end the war, withdraw troops, and deliver aid as Hamas has demanded.
The ongoing differences between Hamas and Israel have so far thwarted earlier attempts at reaching a ceasefire, with the most recent one failing in March after just two months. Israel has called for Hamas to disarm completely and relinquish its military and governing roles, while also stipulating the return of all 58 hostages currently in Gaza before agreeing to end the conflict. Hamas, on the other hand, refuses to give up its weapons and demands the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory and a commitment to ending the war.
Aid distribution efforts have also expanded in the embattled Gaza Strip. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a privately-funded group backed by the United States and endorsed by Israel, increased its aid distribution to a third site this week. The initiative, which began in response to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has been criticized by the United Nations and other aid agencies as inadequate and flawed. The aid distribution was initially marred by chaotic scenes involving thousands of Palestinians rushing distribution points.
Witkoff has indicated that Washington is close to presenting a new ceasefire term sheet to the parties involved in the conflict, which has been ongoing since October 2023. He expressed optimism about achieving a long-term and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Israel has faced increasing international pressure to end the conflict and provide significant relief efforts, with many European countries urging an end to the war. Israel initiated its campaign in Gaza in response to a devastating Hamas attack in southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251. The campaign has been reported to have killed over 54,000 Palestinians and left Gaza in a state of ruin.
- The ceasefire proposal, as reported by The New York Times, includes a 60-day truce and delivery of humanitarian aid, but Hamas has expressed reservations as it lacks commitments to end the war, withdraw troops, and deliver aid as Hamas has demanded.
- Despite the White House's announcement of Israel's approval of the ceasefire proposal, the ongoing differences between Hamas and Israel remain, with Hamas refusing to give up its weapons and demanding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory and a commitment to ending the war.
