Gaza Ceasefire Talks Advance As Deal Nears/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Gaza ceasefire appears closer than it has in months, with Israel and Hamas responding positively to a new proposal. President Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal, driven by shifting regional dynamics and U.S. pressure. Talks continue over hostage releases, military withdrawals, and aid flows.
Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Quick Looks
- Trump optimistic Gaza ceasefire could be agreed next week.
- Hamas submits positive response to new 60-day truce proposal.
- Israel prioritizes hostage release ahead of defeating Hamas.
- Ceasefire efforts fueled by Israel-Iran truce and global pressure.
- Hamas demands permanent ceasefire, UN-led aid, Israeli withdrawal.
- Proposed deal includes phased hostage exchanges and troop pullback.
- Humanitarian aid set to resume under ceasefire terms.
Deep Look
Gaza Ceasefire Talks Inch Closer As Israel, Hamas Signal Progress Toward 60-Day Truce
Efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza have reached their most hopeful point in months, with signals from both Israel and Hamas suggesting a potential agreement could be finalized as early as next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump voiced cautious optimism on Friday, saying, “We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza.” His comments came after Hamas confirmed it had submitted a “positive response” to mediators regarding a proposed 60-day truce with Israel.
Why Now?
Momentum for a truce has surged since the ceasefire between Israel and Iran on June 24, creating a new diplomatic window. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have intensified efforts to bring Israel and Hamas back to the negotiating table. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson told CNN the Iran-Israel agreement generated “momentum” for the current talks.
Inside Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is grappling with growing international criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Though Israel imposed a strict blockade in March, it eased restrictions slightly in May under warnings of potential mass starvation. Yet violence has continued, including deadly strikes and chaos around food distribution centers operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Shifting Israeli Priorities
Netanyahu has consistently maintained that Israel’s objectives include both rescuing hostages held in Gaza and dismantling Hamas militarily and politically. However, in a significant rhetorical shift last weekend, he publicly placed hostage rescue above the broader goal of defeating Hamas. “Firstly, to rescue the hostages… of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions,” he said.
This pivot has been welcomed by families of hostages, many of whom have pressured the government to prioritize the return of their loved ones even if it means ending the war. Israel’s military leadership has also suggested diplomatic avenues may be preferable after years of intense fighting that have depleted Hamas’ senior ranks but failed to fully dismantle its operations.
Hamas’ Demands And Position
- A permanent end to the fighting
- Humanitarian assistance coordinated through the United Nations
- Israeli forces withdrawing to positions held before March 2, 2025
A senior Hamas official previously said the group was ready to release hostages “in one day” if it received assurances that the war would not resume afterward. The group has been adamant that any hostage release must be tied to a genuine path toward ending the conflict.
While some Hamas spokespeople have hinted the group might not insist on a future political role in Gaza, others have been more ambiguous, reflecting internal divisions over Hamas’ place in a post-war Gaza.
Details Of The Proposed Deal
Though specific details remain under wraps, sources familiar with negotiations revealed that the proposal envisions the staged release of hostages over 60 days.
- Hamas would initially release eight living hostages on the first day of the ceasefire.
- In return, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners and pull back troops from agreed areas in northern Gaza.
- Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would begin immediately once the truce takes effect.
Unlike previous ceasefires where Hamas used hostage releases for propaganda, the new deal stipulates that handovers will occur quietly, without public fanfare, at Israel’s request.
Humanitarian aid would also resume immediately, provided through the UN and other agencies, although the role of the controversial U.S.-backed GHF remains unclear.
An Israeli official said that the new proposal offers stronger U.S. assurances toward achieving a permanent peace settlement — a key demand from Hamas. However, further negotiations are needed to finalize details, including the timeline for Israeli military withdrawals during the ceasefire period.
History Of Previous Ceasefires
In nearly two years of conflict, Israel and Hamas have managed only about nine weeks of ceasefires.
- The first truce in November 2023 lasted just one week but saw 105 hostages freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- A second ceasefire in January 2025 led to the release of 33 hostages over eight weeks. But talks collapsed when Israel resumed military operations in March, citing pressure tactics against Hamas.
So far, over 57,000 people — including more than 17,000 children — have died in Gaza during the war, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
While the current proposal represents the closest the parties have come to an agreement in months, significant hurdles remain. Proximity talks, likely to be held in Doha or Cairo, will be critical for hammering out final terms and ensuring both sides remain committed to a fragile path toward peace.
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