U.S. President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to persuade Israel to accept a new ceasefire in Gaza, now that the confrontation with Iran has subsided. Speaking from the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump declared, “There is progress. I think the attack we launched against Iran will lead to very good news.”
According to Newsweek, Trump views this moment as an opportunity to reinforce his image as a global mediator and to push for a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Details of the Ceasefire Proposal
The latest ceasefire proposal outlines the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of the remains of 18 others, divided into two phases over the first seven days of the agreement. In exchange, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and hand over 180 detained bodies. Both sides would also provide updated information on detainees by the tenth day of the agreement.
The proposal also includes a suspension of Israeli military operations and aerial surveillance for 10 to 12 hours each day during the hostage and prisoner exchange period. Israeli troops would withdraw to the Netzarim Corridor and northern Gaza, while humanitarian aid would resume.
During the ceasefire, both parties would engage in negotiations for a long-term solution, with the possibility of extending the pause for up to 60 days.
Hamas’s Stance and Growing Pressure on Israel
Although U.S. and Israeli officials claim Hamas has rejected the deal, the militant group asserts it has accepted it, but demands guarantees that Israel will not resume the war after the ceasefire concludes.
Pressure on Israel for a deal is mounting, with protests held outside the homes of senior officials demanding action. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss the hostage exchange and normalization agreement with Syria during his upcoming visit to Washington.
