After nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza, Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar. The agreement, confirmed Monday (August 18) by Egyptian government sources and reported by Reuters, The Guardian, and the Associated Press, will suspend fighting for 60 days.
Under the deal, Hamas will release half of the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. In exchange, Israel will free a number of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has not yet issued an official response, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the development, saying Hamas is under “intense pressure.”
Hamas senior official Bassem Naim wrote in a Facebook post: “We have approved the new proposal presented by the mediators regarding the Gaza war.”
The ceasefire is expected to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and could pave the way for broader negotiations toward a long-term settlement. Observers note that the plan resembles a previous proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which Israel had already accepted.
Meanwhile, Israel’s plan to take full control of Gaza City has sparked alarm both domestically and abroad. On Sunday, thousands of Israelis staged one of the largest protests since the war began, demanding an end to the fighting. Demonstrators also called for the release of the roughly 50 Israeli hostages still believed to be in Gaza. Israeli officials estimate at least 29 of them remain alive.
Fears of a new Israeli ground operation have driven thousands of Palestinians from Gaza’s eastern areas toward the west and south. However, those regions also continue to face heavy Israeli bombardment.
Analysts believe the truce could ease Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, but warn that a lasting peace will require broader diplomatic agreements.
Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, AP
