Cairo | Gaza | Tel Aviv — In a development that could reshape the trajectory of the 22-month conflict in Gaza, Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire and hostage release proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, based on a framework earlier advanced by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. A senior Hamas source confirmed the group’s acceptance to the BBC, raising cautious hopes of a temporary halt to the bloodshed.
The deal envisions an initial 60-day truce during which Hamas would release around half of the 50 remaining hostages, including 20 believed to be alive. The releases would occur in two batches, with the potential for parallel negotiations on a longer-term ceasefire. In exchange, Israel would release 200 Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid would expand across the besieged enclave.
🚨BREAKING: Hours after Trump backed Israel’s push to wipe out Hamas, they caved and accepted a Gaza ceasefire. Hostages included.
Peace through strength every time. pic.twitter.com/aZQ7FvdQdI
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) August 18, 2025
However, Israel’s official stance remains unclear. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reiterated last week that any deal must include the release of all hostages in one go. Following Hamas’s approval, Netanyahu released a video statement without addressing the truce directly but remarked that the reports showed Hamas was “under immense pressure.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, declared the conflict at a “turning point,” highlighting intensified strikes on Hamas positions in Gaza City. Witnesses reported a surprise Israeli tank advance into the southern Sabra neighborhood, where artillery and airstrikes encircled schools and a UN-run clinic sheltering displaced civilians. The situation has deepened the humanitarian crisis, displacing thousands more as families flee advancing military operations.
Later this week, Israel’s cabinet is expected to review and likely approve a plan to occupy Gaza City, signaling a major escalation in the war effort. Netanyahu has already pledged to expand Israel’s offensive and conquer all of Gaza, including areas where much of the enclave’s 2.1 million residents have taken refuge.
The ceasefire proposal is part of a broader diplomatic framework tied to UN Security Council Resolution 2735, which calls for phased hostage release, a truce, and reconstruction talks. International mediators hope the acceptance by Hamas could catalyze renewed dialogue, though the next move rests with Israel’s leadership.
With more than 62,000 Palestinians killed since the war began, humanitarian organizations stress that even a temporary ceasefire would provide life-saving relief. For now, the global community awaits Israel’s response, balancing cautious optimism with the grim reality of continued military escalation.
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