US Proposal for Ceasefire in Israel-Palestine Conflict Labeled as Continuation of Violence in Gaza
The Trump administration has proposed a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but it remains uncertain if Hamas will accept the terms, which are currently under discussion. According to a senior official from Hamas, the agreement does not address their primary demands, such as ending the conflict, and will result in "continued loss of life and starvation" in Gaza.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed on Thursday that Israel had agreed to the proposal, and the Trump administration's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has submitted it to Hamas for consideration. The details of the proposal have not been publicly disclosed, but it is said to include a 60-day truce, the release of hostages held by both sides, and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim told Reuters that the deal does not meet the demands of the Palestinian people and that the group's leadership is carefully evaluating the proposal. Hamas has reportedly asked for modifications to the proposal, including changes to the timing and sequence of hostage releases, assurances for a permanent ceasefire, and guaranteed, regular deliveries of humanitarian aid.
Reuters reported that a draft of the proposal outlined the initial phases of the deal as a stepping stone towards a permanent ceasefire. The plan would also see aid delivered to Gaza immediately following Hamas's agreement. It was reported that the proposal was supported by a guarantee from President Trump and the mediation of Egypt and Qatar.
Israel's government has not confirmed that it approved the proposal, and there have been conflicting reports regarding the terms of the agreement. Reuters reported that initial talks about the deal had been suspended, but later reports suggested that Hamas and Witkoff had reached a general framework for a ceasefire agreement. However, Witkoff later denied that these were the terms he had proposed.
Attempts to restore a ceasefire have been hampered by deep disagreements over the conditions for ending the conflict. Israel has demanded that Hamas disarm, while the Palestinian group has demanded an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza. Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18 and has since killed nearly 4,000 people, pushing the overall death toll in the enclave to over 54,000, according to health authorities in Gaza. Israel has also imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Palestinian territory, which UN officials say has pushed the population to the brink of famine.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have become breaking news, as the Trump administration proposed a ceasefire, but its acceptance remains uncertain.
- The proposed agreement, under discussion, fails to address Hamas's primary demands, according to a senior Hamas official, leading to continued loss of life and starvation in Gaza.
- Despite Israel's agreement to the proposed ceasefire, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the terms of the agreement face disagreements and reported conflicts, with Hamas demanding modifications.
- In the midst of general-news and crime-and-justice headlines, the ceasefire negotiations continue, with the helps of Egypt and Qatar, but the permanent resolution seems miles away, given the persisting disagreements and the need for justice and peace in the region.
