Mediators await Israeli response to new Gaza ceasefire proposal

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d253/live/04b32220-7cec-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters People hold photos of Israeli hostages and banners during a demonstration demanding an end to the Gaza war and the release of all the hostages held by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel (19 August 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Hostages' households and their supporters need the Israeli authorities to agree a deal to finish the battle and convey all of them house

Arab mediators are awaiting a proper response from Israel after Hamas stated it had accepted a brand new proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage launch deal.

The plan was introduced by Qatar and Egypt, which try to avert a serious new Israeli offensive to occupy Gaza absolutely.

Qatar stated it was "nearly similar" to a US proposal for a 60-day truce, throughout which round half of fifty hostages held in Gaza - 20 of whom are believed to be alive - could be handed over and the 2 sides would negotiate a long-lasting ceasefire and the return of the remainder.

In latest days, Israel's authorities has stated it might not settle for a partial deal - solely a complete one that might see all of the hostages freed.

Native media quoted a senior Israeli official saying: "Israel's place hasn't modified - launch of all hostages and fulfilment of different situations outlined for ending the battle."

Later this week, the Israeli cupboard is anticipated to approve the army's plan to occupy Gaza Metropolis, the place intensifying Israeli strikes have already prompted hundreds of individuals to flee.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced Israel's intention to overcome all of Gaza - together with the areas the place most of its 2.1 million Palestinian residents have sought refuge - after oblique talks with Hamas on a ceasefire deal broke down final month.

On Monday night time, a Hamas assertion introduced that the armed group and different Palestinian factions had authorised a ceasefire proposal introduced by Egyptian and Qatari mediators to their delegations in Cairo yesterday.

Hamas official Taher al-Nunu advised Al-Araby TV that they'd not sought any amendments to the proposal, which he described as "a partial deal resulting in a complete deal".

He additionally emphasised that on the primary day of its implementation, negotiations would start with the goal of agreeing a everlasting ceasefire.

"We hope that the 60 days of ceasefire shall be enough to conclude a last settlement that can utterly finish this battle," he stated.

Qatar's international ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, advised reporters in Doha on Tuesday that the proposal was "98%" just like the one introduced by US Center East envoy Steve Witkoff.

"I will not go into the main points of the language that's on the desk proper now. However what I can say is that it is rather shut, nearly similar to what was there on the desk," Ansari stated.

"It's throughout the confines of the Witkoff plan... It is a continuation of that course of. Clearly, it is within the particulars the place the satan lies."

Witkoff had proposed a 60-day truce that might see Hamas launch 10 residing hostages and the our bodies of 18 lifeless hostages in two phases, in trade for a whole lot of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails. He additionally stated that negotiations on a last settlement to finish the battle would start on the primary day of the deal.

Israel accepted Witkoff's plan, however Hamas rejected it, partly as a result of it didn't embody a assure that the momentary ceasefire would result in a everlasting one.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e705/live/12bf96b0-7ceb-11f0-83cc-c5da98c419b8.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters A Palestinian woman inspects the site of an overnight Israeli strike, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip (19 August 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the Israeli army's actions in Gaza have been placing Hamas underneath "immense strain"

Israeli media reported that Israeli officers have been inspecting the brand new proposal and Hamas's response.

In accordance with public broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu has not dominated out the potential of a partial deal regardless of his latest statements that he'll solely settle for a complete deal.

On Saturday night time, his workplace put out an announcement saying that Israel would "comply with a deal provided that all of the hostages are launched in a single go, and in accordance with our situations for ending the battle".

These situations included the disarming of Hamas, the demilitarisation of Gaza, Israeli management of the Gaza perimeter, and the set up of a non-Hamas and non-Palestinian Authority governance, it added.

Netanyahu stated in a video on Monday that he had mentioned with senior Israeli army commanders their "plans relating to Gaza Metropolis and the completion of our missions".

"Such as you, I hear the stories within the media, and from them you will get one impression - Hamas is underneath immense strain," he added.

US President Donald Trump in the meantime wrote on social media: "We'll solely see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The earlier this takes place, the higher the probabilities of success shall be."

Nonetheless, the households of hostages concern the brand new offensive in Gaza Metropolis might endanger these being held there.

On Sunday night time, a whole lot of hundreds of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand that their authorities agree a take care of Hamas to finish the battle now and convey all of the hostages house. Netanyahu accused the demonstrators of hardening Hamas's negotiating place.

The Israeli army launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, wherein about 1,200 folks have been killed and 251 others have been taken hostage.

No less than 62,004 folks have been killed in Gaza since then, in keeping with the territory's Hamas-run well being ministry.

Most of Gaza's inhabitants has additionally been displaced a number of instances; greater than 90% of houses are estimated to be broken or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene programs have collapsed; and UN-backed world meals safety specialists have warned that the "worst-case situation of famine is presently enjoying out" resulting from meals shortages.