Cautious optimism for Gaza ceasefire breakthrough as Netanyahu visits US

[ad_1] Yolande Knell Center East correspondent

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1dbb/live/90269b00-5af2-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 7, 2025" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White Home in April

After 21 months of battle, there are rising hopes of a brand new Gaza ceasefire announcement as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Washington.

Trump beforehand informed reporters he had been "very agency" with Netanyahu about ending the battle and that he thought "we'll have a deal" this week.

"We're working to realize the deal that has been mentioned, beneath the situations now we have agreed," the veteran Israeli PM mentioned earlier than boarding his airplane. "I consider that the dialog with President Trump can undoubtedly assist advance this end result, which all of us hope for."

Oblique talks between Israel and Hamas on a US-sponsored proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage launch deal resumed in Qatar on Sunday night.

Nonetheless, it's unclear whether or not key variations which have constantly held up an settlement might be overcome.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0264/live/491a95d0-5aa8-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Mourners carry the bodies of two Palestinian children reportedly killed in an Israeli strike, during a funeral at al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City (6 July 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza are being reported killed in Israeli strikes day-after-day

Solely cautious optimism is being expressed by weary Palestinians dwelling in dire situations amid persevering with day by day Israeli bombardment, and the distressed households of Israeli hostages nonetheless held by Hamas.

"I do not want for a truce however a whole cease to all battle. Frankly, I am afraid that after 60 days the battle would restart once more," says Nabil Abu Dayah, who fled from Beit Lahia in northern Gaza to Gaza Metropolis together with his youngsters and grandchildren.

"We obtained so uninterested in displacement, we obtained uninterested in thirst and starvation, from dwelling in tents. With regards to life's requirements, now we have zero."

On Saturday night, giant rallies passed off urging Israel's authorities to seal a deal to return some 50 hostages from Gaza, as much as 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Some relations questioned why the framework deal wouldn't free all captives instantly.

"How does one survive beneath such situations? I am ready for Evyatar to return and inform me himself," mentioned Ilay David, whose youthful brother, a musician, was filmed by Hamas in torment as he watched fellow hostages being launched earlier this yr over the last, two-month-long ceasefire.

"That is the time to avoid wasting lives. That is the time to rescue the our bodies from the specter of disappearance," Ilay informed a crowd in Jerusalem.

"Within the quickly altering actuality of the Center East, that is the second to signal a complete settlement that may result in the discharge of all of the hostages, each single one, with out exception."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/c8a7/live/c71ca270-5aad-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="AFP Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza protest outside the Israeli military's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel (5 July 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> AFP The Israeli hostages' households are urging the US president to dealer a deal that secures the discharge of all of these held in Gaza

Netanyahu is visiting the White Home for the third time since Trump returned to energy practically six months in the past.

However the leaders shall be assembly for the primary time because the US joined Israeli assaults on Iranian nuclear websites after which brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

There's a robust sense that the latest 12-day battle has created extra beneficial circumstances to finish the Gaza battle.

After months of low reputation scores, the Israeli PM has been bolstered by broad public assist for the Iran offensive and analysts counsel he now has extra leverage to conform to a peace deal over the robust objections of his far-right coalition companions, who need Israel to stay in command of Gaza.

Hamas is seen to have been additional weakened by the strikes on Iran - a key regional patron - that means it may be extra amenable to creating concessions wanted to achieve an settlement.

In the meantime, Trump is eager to maneuver on to different priorities within the Center East.

These embody brokering border talks between Israel and Syria, returning to efforts to normalise relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and finishing unfinished enterprise with Iran, involving doable negotiations on a brand new nuclear deal.

For months, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have been deadlocked over one elementary distinction.

Israel has been able to decide to a short lived truce to return hostages however not an finish to the battle. Hamas has demanded a everlasting cessation of hostilities in Gaza and a full pullout of Israeli troops.

The most recent proposal put to Hamas is claimed to incorporate ensures of Washington's dedication to the deal and to continued talks to achieve an enduring ceasefire and the discharge of all of the hostages.

Nothing has been formally introduced, however in response to media studies the framework would see Hamas hand over 28 hostages - 10 alive and 18 useless - in 5 levels over 60 days with out the troubling handover ceremonies it staged within the final ceasefire.

There can be a big surge in humanitarian help getting into Gaza.

After the return of the primary eight dwelling hostages on the primary day of the settlement, Israeli forces would withdraw from elements of the north. After one week, the military would depart elements of the south.

On Day 10, Hamas would define which hostages stay alive and their situation, whereas Israel would give particulars about greater than 2,000 Gazans arrested through the battle who stay in "administrative detention" - a apply which permits the Israeli authorities to carry them with out cost or trial.

As seen earlier than, giant numbers of Palestinians can be launched from Israeli jails in trade for hostages.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d2a7/live/e7c6f760-5aa7-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Israeli soldiers operate in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border (6 July 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters The Israeli army's chief of workers mentioned final week that it was nearing the completion of its battle objectives

President Trump has described this because the "ultimate" truce proposal and mentioned final week that Israel had accepted "the mandatory situations" to finalise it.

On Friday, Hamas mentioned it had responded in a "optimistic spirit" however expressed some reservations.

A Palestinian official mentioned sticking factors remained over humanitarian help - with Hamas demanding an instantaneous finish to operations by the controversial Israeli and American-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF) and a return to the UN and its companions overseeing all reduction efforts.

Hamas can be mentioned to be questioning the timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals and operations of the Rafah crossing between southern Gaza and Egypt.

Netanyahu's workplace acknowledged on Saturday that the adjustments needed by Hamas have been "not acceptable" to Israel.

The prime minister has repeatedly mentioned that Hamas should be disarmed, a requirement the Islamist group has up to now refused to debate.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8056/live/222b0430-5aaa-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="EPA Displaced Palestinians gather outside a charity kitchen for food, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza (30 May 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> EPA The humanitarian scenario in Gaza is constant to deteriorate

In Israel, there may be rising opposition to the battle in Gaza, with greater than 20 troopers killed up to now month, in response to the army.

The Israeli army's chief of workers, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, mentioned final week that it was nearing the completion of its battle objectives and signalled that the federal government should determine whether or not to maneuver forward with a deal to convey dwelling hostages or put together for Israeli forces to re-establish army rule in Gaza.

Polls point out that two-thirds of Israelis assist a ceasefire deal to convey dwelling the hostages.

In Gaza, some residents categorical fears that the present wave of positivity is being manufactured to ease tensions throughout Netanyahu's US journey - rationalising that this occurred in Could as Trump ready to go to Arab Gulf states.

The approaching days shall be vital politically and in humanitarian phrases.

The scenario in Gaza has continued to deteriorate, with medical workers reporting acute malnutrition amongst youngsters.

The UN says that with no gas having entered in over 4 months, stockpiles at the moment are just about gone, threatening important medical care, water provides and telecommunications.

Israel launched its battle in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led assaults on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 individuals and led to 251 others being taken hostage.

Israeli assaults have since killed greater than 57,000 individuals in Gaza, in response to the Hamas-run well being ministry. The ministry's figures are quoted by the UN and others as probably the most dependable supply of statistics out there on casualties.