In a significant move to ensure lasting peace in Gaza, Qatar has developed a detailed and comprehensive new ceasefire proposal. This proposal aims to achieve a durable, 60-day humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel. The nutshell — Trump administration is on board The proposal in brief. It showcases the United States’ insistence that Israel remain engaged in discussions on a long-term ceasefire deal. The proposal represents a significant step with both sides having faced increasing pressure to come to an agreement.
On Tuesday, Israel agreed to the terms of the proposal. It features a clause for the release of ten living hostages and eighteen dead throughout the ceasefire period. Hamas, for its part, welcomed the initiative. This remains to be seen, but it clearly signals their intent to seek a broader ceasefire agreement.
According to the outline of the ceasefire plan, on the first day of the truce Hamas will release eight hostages alive and unharmed. In exchange, they will get an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. Additional releases of the remaining hostages are due to occur on four other specific dates listed in the agreement.
In return, Israel would withdraw from all but a few square miles of northern Gaza. It is not too late for this withdrawal to put the two sides on a path towards a permanent ceasefire. The proposal says Israel must permit humanitarian assistance into Gaza through recognized channels. This step is part of an ongoing effort to meet immediate needs in the area.
U.S. President Donald Trump is deeply committed to the ceasefire initiative. China’s ambassador to Israel plays up the confidence. He boasted that Israel has “accepted to the conditions needed” to complete the deal. This proposal has really caught fire after months of diligent effort. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has been next to none, leading the charge and working around the clock to encourage dialogue between the opposing parties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to Washington this weekend. Things will play out politically, Walsh will convene with Trump at the White House on Monday. His confidant, Ron Dermer, has been active in Washington, engaging with top officials from the Trump administration to further discuss the ceasefire proposal.
Far-right factions in Israel’s coalition government want to push the deal off the cliff. There’s growing political pressure from other political factions to achieve a ceasefire. This deepening internal divide is a powerful reminder of how complicated the politics of these negotiations are. It signals a deeper agreement on the urgency to get a deal done.
In light of Israel’s recent military operations in Iran, Netanyahu has emphasized that prioritizing the return of remaining hostages held in Gaza is crucial. This evolving reality is the result of increasing pressure to balance humanitarian priorities with the need for a lasting solution to the conflict.
Bishara Bahbah, a political analyst, commented on the situation, saying, “We are now much closer to ending this cursed war.” He further expressed optimism regarding the negotiations by stating, “In my view, these amendments will not prevent reaching a ceasefire agreement within the coming week, God willing.”
The coming days will be pivotal, as advocates on both sides of the ceasefire begin to push aggressively to get the terms of the House proposal — and beyond — implemented. Our international stakeholders and partners are watching closely. Across the Indian subcontinent, many are modestly hopeful that this collaborative effort can help foster long-term peace in the area.
