Hamas and U.S. Envoy Propose Ceasefire Deal
Hamas announced on Wednesday that it has secured a general framework with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to halt fighting in the Gaza Strip. The outline calls for the release of ten Israeli hostages and several bodies in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, overseen by international mediators.
Holding Out for a Final Answer
According to Hamas, the group is awaiting a final response as it ramps up efforts to end what it calls a “brutal war” on Gaza. It adds that the agreement would guarantee a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, the steady flow of humanitarian aid, and the handover of Gaza’s administration to a professional committee immediately after the deal is announced.
Disputes and Denials
Despite Hamas’s statement, Envoy Witkoff told Axios that no agreement has been accepted. Israel has yet to issue an official position, though several Israeli media outlets report that the proposal was rejected. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly insists that any ceasefire must include the withdrawal of Hamas from Gaza’s governance, the group’s disarmament, and the exile of its leaders.
Experts Share Their Take
Abdel Mohdy Motawe of the Middle East Forum for Strategic Studies says there is broad consensus between Israel and the U.S. on Netanyahu’s conditions, making a full ceasefire unlikely unless those terms are met. He suggests a partial deal could still be possible.
Mokhtar Ghobashy of the Al-Farabi Center for Studies argues that weak international pressure has allowed Israel to pursue a systematic displacement strategy in Gaza, warning that the current regional context favors an intensifying approach to the conflict.
As negotiators refine the details, global audiences—from young activists to entrepreneurs and travelers—are watching closely, hopeful this deal could spark lasting peace and stability in Gaza.
Reference(s):
Hamas says reached agreement with U.S. over Gaza ceasefire framework
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