In a significant development that could pave the way for a prolonged pause in the devastating conflict, Palestinian militant group Hamas has accepted a proposed 60-day ceasefire plan for Gaza. The move, confirmed by a Hamas official to AFP on Monday, offers a fragile glimmer of hope amid a war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.

According to Palestinian officials briefed on the proposal, the deal would see the release of at least ten living Israeli hostages alongside a number of bodies in exchange for a two-month cessation of hostilities. An Islamic Jihad source further detailed to AFP that a second phase would see the release of remaining captives, to be followed by negotiations for a broader political settlement. The acceptance, reportedly without amendments, now places the ball firmly in Israel’s court, with mediators from Egypt and Qatar expected to formally announce the agreement pending a response from Jerusalem.

How Does a Potential Gaza Ceasefire Deal Impact the Humanitarian Crisis?

The acceptance of this framework comes at a critical juncture. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, described by visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty as “beyond imagination,” has reached catastrophic levels. United Nations agencies and aid groups have repeatedly warned of widespread famine, with most of the population displaced and facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.

A sustained 60-day truce would allow for a massive and desperately needed scaling up of humanitarian aid delivery across Gaza. It would provide a crucial window for medical services to be partially restored, for shelters to be established, and for essential infrastructure repairs to begin. The cessation of bombing would also allow for safer distribution of aid within the strip, reaching areas that have been largely cut off for months.

The Stakes for Israel and the Hostages

For Israel, the deal presents a complex calculation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated that Israel would only agree to a deal that secures the release of all hostages at once and on its conditions for ending the war. With an estimated 49 hostages still held in Gaza, 27 of whom the Israeli defence forces fear are dead, domestic pressure to secure their return remains immense.

The reported terms, however, fall short of Israel’s stated maximalist goals, likely leading to intense deliberation within the Israeli war cabinet. The political and military objective of dismantling Hamas, a goal reiterated by leaders, appears to be in direct tension with a deal that could allow the group to regroup during a long truce. This development follows a statement from former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, who asserted that hostages would only be freed with Hamas’s destruction, highlighting the polarized international perspectives on resolving the conflict.

Accusations of Starvation and the Path Forward

As diplomatic efforts intensify, the allegations against Israel’s conduct of the war grow more severe. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have accused Israel of enacting a “deliberate policy” of starvation in Gaza, a charge Israel vehemently denies. The sheer scale of destruction is staggering; the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reports over 62,000 Palestinian deaths, most of them civilians, since the war began in response to Hamas’s October 7th attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel.

The acceptance of this 60-day ceasefire proposal marks a critical, though fragile, diplomatic milestone. The world now watches to see if Israel will agree to pause its offensive, allowing life-saving aid to flow and a path toward a more permanent peace to be explored, or if the devastating conflict will continue unabated.

Must Know

What is the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal?
The latest proposal, brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, involves a 60-day pause in fighting. In the first phase, Hamas would release at least ten living Israeli hostages and a number of bodies. A second phase would involve further hostage releases and negotiations for a broader settlement.

Has Israel accepted the new ceasefire deal?
As of the latest reports, Israel has not yet formally responded to the deal accepted by Hamas. The Israeli war cabinet is likely deliberating the terms, which may not fully align with its stated goals of securing all hostages at once and continuing military operations against Hamas.

What is the current situation in Gaza?
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. UN agencies warn of famine, with the majority of the 2.3 million population displaced and facing severe shortages of basic necessities. The health system has largely collapsed, and infrastructure is extensively damaged.

How many hostages are still in Gaza?
According to Israeli defence forces, 49 hostages taken during the October 7 attack are still being held in Gaza. Officials fear that 27 of them are dead.

What started the Israel-Hamas war?
The current war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,219 people and kidnapping 251 others into Gaza. Israel responded with a massive military offensive in Gaza.