Amid the Israeli plan to intensify military operation in Gaza Strip and occupy it, Hamas has accepted a new Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt mediators.
Hamas officials said they have agreed to the phase-wise truce deal, which includes the release of remaining living Israeli hostages.
The agreement was reached on August 18, after days of negotiations between Hamas and Egyptian and Qatari officials in Cairo.
The new proposal reportedly is similar to the last ceasefire plan discussed before negotiations fell apart last month.
According to Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen, the proposal involves the Israeli military’s withdrawal of up to one kilometre from areas in northern and eastern Gaza—except the al-Shujaiyya and Beit Lahia towns.
The agreement further stipulates that Israel would release 140 Palestinians serving life sentences and 60 others serving prison terms of over 15 years. In return, Hamas will release 10 living Israeli hostages.
The initial stage of the ceasefire involves a 60-day truce, during which prisoners will be exchanged. Additionally, humanitarian aid will be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip immediately after the ceasefire takes effect.
Under the proposal, the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza would reopen for two-way traffic. The second phase will then focus on attaining a full and lasting ceasefire.
In the final stage, Hamas will cease governing the Gaza Strip, and an internationally supported governance structure will be installed to administer Gaza.
Though Hamas has accepted the truce deal, Israel seems to be in no mood to pull back. Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel’s main aim is to eliminate Hamas and bring the hostages back.
US backs Netanyahu's military operation
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, while commenting on the ceasefire proposal said "I spoke with the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff about our plans for Gaza City and the completion of our missions. And like you, I hear the reports in the media, and from them you can get one impression - Hamas is under massive pressure."
Pertinently, the United States is also firmly backing Netanyahu’s plan for the takeover of the Gaza Strip. US President Donald Trump, on August 18, said that the only way to bring the hostages back is by destroying Hamas.
The development comes amid large-scale protests in Tel Aviv demanding an end to the war and the return of the hostages. The protests were against Netanyahu’s plan to intensify military operations in Gaza and displace over 1 million Palestinians.
The renewed military action in the Gaza Strip has sparked global outrage. Experts argue that the operation will worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis caused by the Israeli bombing and blockade of aid.
According to reports, over 400,000 Palestinians are malnourished and in urgent need of medical attention. The 22-month-long war has already killed over 62,000 people and injured more than 150,000.
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty said that his country was doing everything for an immediate ceasefire and stop the displacement of Palestinians.
Badr Abdelatty said "We are doing everything in our hands. We are doing our maximum, you know, with clear-cut instructions from President Sissi to provide all kind of support, assistance to the Palestinian people on the other side of the border in Gaza. We are with you. We will provide everything in our hand in order to keep you (the Palestinian people in Gaza) attached to your homeland and not to accept any plans for displacement. We are there to help, to support of course, and we are doing everything in our hand on the political level in order to push for an immediate ceasefire."
Amid Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza, Egypt has warned that the displacement of Gazans is a ‘red line’. Israel and the US have been trying to persuade other countries to accept Palestinian refugees.
Egyptian leaders have been facing immense public pressure to support the Palestinians.
Notably, Egyptian mediators are working to bring the US to the negotiation table. Foreign Minister has said they are inviting US envoy Steve Witkoff to join the ceasefire talks.
As Israel plans an extensive military operation to occupy Gaza, which has Trump’s backing, what remains to be seen is whether Netanyahu will accept the ceasefire deal or not.
