In a surprising shift, Israel has halted its offensive operations aimed at capturing Gaza City, redeploying troops to defensive positions. Senior Israeli media outlets report that this pause follows a response from Hamas to a comprehensive 20-point proposal backed by the United States.
According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sources, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir convened an overnight situation assessment with top officers. In line with directives from the political echelon, Zamir has begun preparations for the initial phase of the plan, which hinges on the immediate release of all 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
At the heart of the proposal is a multi-pronged agreement:
- A truce in Gaza City
- The return of all hostages
- The release of selected Palestinians from Israeli prisons
- International oversight on Gaza's reconstruction and governance
Hamas indicated it was ready in principle to move forward on these terms and agreed to negotiate implementation details, potentially in Doha as in earlier talks.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office noted that in light of Hamas's response, Israel is preparing to implement the first phase immediately, emphasizing close coordination with the US team to end the conflict.
As the region awaits the next round of talks, international observers highlight the potential shift from active combat to diplomatic engagementa move that could shape Gaza's future under international law and set a precedent for conflict resolution in the Middle East.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
