After 21 months of conflict, fresh hope for a Gaza ceasefire emerged as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, amid renewed negotiations over a proposed truce and hostage exchange.
President Trump, who has taken a more assertive diplomatic role in recent weeks, told reporters he had been “very firm” with Netanyahu and was optimistic about a breakthrough, stating, “We’ll have a deal this week.”
Speaking before his departure to the United States, Netanyahu confirmed that discussions would focus on advancing an agreement under previously discussed terms. “I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome, which we all hope for,” he said.
Ceasefire Deal Under Discussion in Qatar
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed in Doha on Sunday, based on a U.S.-brokered framework proposing a 60-day ceasefire and the phased release of hostages. However, longstanding sticking points remain unresolved, tempering optimism.
The proposed deal would see Hamas release 28 hostages—10 alive and 18 deceased—in five stages, while Israel would gradually withdraw from areas in Gaza and allow increased humanitarian aid. In return, Israel would receive details on hostages’ conditions and potentially release detained Palestinians.
Despite initial progress, Hamas is reportedly seeking changes regarding the pace of Israeli troop withdrawals, operations at the Rafah border crossing, and the role of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group it views with suspicion.
An unnamed Palestinian official said Hamas preferred to see the United Nations and its partners resume full control of humanitarian efforts, a demand yet to gain Israeli approval.
Divided Reactions in Israel and Gaza
While Hamas issued a “positive” but cautious response to the proposal, Netanyahu’s office stated that the modifications being demanded by Hamas were “not acceptable.” A major sticking point continues to be Israel’s insistence that Hamas be fully disarmed—a condition Hamas has refused to entertain.
Public pressure in Israel has grown, with nationwide rallies urging the government to act decisively to bring home some 50 hostages still in Gaza. “This is the time to save lives,” said Ilay David, whose younger brother remains in captivity. “Every single one [must be] brought back, without exception.”
Polls indicate that nearly two-thirds of Israelis now support a ceasefire deal to secure the release of hostages, particularly following the recent deaths of over 20 Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
In Gaza, civilians expressed a mix of guarded hope and deep skepticism. “I don’t wish for a truce but a complete stop to all war,” said Nabil Abu Dayah, a displaced resident now living in Gaza City. “We’re tired of hunger, tents, and fear.”
Strategic Shift Post-Iran Offensive
The recent 12-day military escalation between Israel and Iran appears to have shifted the dynamics, both politically and militarily. Analysts suggest Netanyahu, buoyed by domestic support for his handling of Iran, may now possess the leverage needed to defy hardliners in his coalition who oppose any deal with Hamas.
Trump, meanwhile, is reportedly eager to resolve the Gaza crisis to pivot toward other regional priorities, including Israel-Syria border negotiations, normalising ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and reengaging Iran over nuclear diplomacy.
The current proposal, described by President Trump as the “final” offer, includes American guarantees to ensure compliance and continued negotiations toward a lasting truce.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
As talks continue, conditions in Gaza continue to worsen. UN agencies report extreme shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies. Health workers warn of rising malnutrition among children, and essential services such as water and telecommunications are at risk of collapse.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry figures, which the United Nations cites as the most credible source available.
With the humanitarian situation deteriorating and political stakes rising, the coming days are likely to prove decisive in determining whether the region will finally move toward peace—or fall back into another prolonged chapter of war.
