Key Highlights
- Hamas confirms acceptance of 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal without amendments, offering to release half of remaining 50 hostages in two batches
- Mediators from Egypt and Qatar present Gaza ceasefire proposal based on framework introduced by U.S. envoy, featuring exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners
- Israel’s security cabinet approves plan to intensify military operations and occupy Gaza City, calling up 60,000 reservists amid ongoing negotiations
Opening Overview
A significant breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire proposal negotiations emerged Monday as Hamas confirmed its acceptance of a new proposal from Arab mediators, potentially ending more than 22 months of devastating warfare. The Palestinian militant group’s agreement to the 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal represents a crucial diplomatic development amid escalating military tensions and humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
The Hamas source told AFP that the organization had “delivered its response to the mediators, confirming that Hamas and the factions agreed to the new Gaza ceasefire proposal without requesting any amendments”. This acceptance comes as Israeli forces prepare for intensified operations in Gaza City, with thousands of Palestinians fleeing eastern areas in anticipation of a major ground offensive. The Gaza ceasefire proposal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, closely mirrors previous frameworks that had shown promise before negotiations collapsed in July.
Palestinian officials earlier indicated that mediators had proposed an initial 60-day truce featuring hostage releases in two separate batches, marking a potential pathway toward ending the conflict that has claimed over 60,000 Palestinian lives according to official statistics. The timing of Hamas’s Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance coincides with Israel’s approval of expanded military operations, creating both opportunity and urgency for diplomatic resolution.
JUST IN❗️: Hamas has informed mediators that it approves the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, a group official told Reuters on Monday.
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) August 18, 2025
The official did not provide further details.
Could we get two peace agreements for the price of one today? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/0P9TxREoyq
Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Details and Negotiation Framework
The new Gaza ceasefire proposal fundamentally centers on a 60-day humanitarian truce coupled with a structured hostage exchange mechanism. According to Hamas sources and Egyptian officials familiar with the negotiations, the Gaza ceasefire proposal would require Hamas to release approximately half of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages, with 20 individuals believed to be alive, through two separate phases during the initial ceasefire period.
- The Gaza ceasefire proposal includes release of 10 living hostages and 18 deceased individuals in the first batch
- Israel would free 140 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and individuals with sentences exceeding 15 years
The framework represents what Qatar described as being “almost identical” to an earlier version that Israel had previously accepted, developed through mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar with minor modifications to the original U.S. Gaza ceasefire proposal. A diplomat familiar with the negotiations noted that mediators achieved a breakthrough maintaining 98% of the previous Gaza ceasefire proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, applying pressure on Hamas to accept this new framework.
Beyond the immediate hostage exchange, the Gaza ceasefire proposal encompasses extensive humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza’s besieged population and establishes a foundation for comprehensive negotiations toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. The terms suggest Israeli forces would reposition according to previously outlined buffer zones, with Hamas insisting on written American guarantees ensuring Israel refrains from resuming hostilities after the 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal period concludes.
Regional sources engaged in the discussions emphasized that Hamas maintains its demand for concrete assurances regarding the transition from temporary truce to lasting peace, highlighting the complex diplomatic challenges that remain even with this Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance.
Israeli Military Response and Strategic Calculations
Israel’s reaction to Hamas’s Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance remains measured, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office maintaining its established position that any agreement must result in the complete release of all hostages. Two Israeli officials confirmed Tuesday that Jerusalem is actively studying the hostage and Gaza ceasefire proposal through proper channels, though Netanyahu has yet to provide public commentary on the latest developments.
- Israeli security cabinet approved intensified military operations in Gaza City
- Approximately 60,000 reservists called up for expanded ground operations
The Israeli military’s strategic approach reflects determination to maintain pressure on Hamas even during Gaza ceasefire proposal negotiations. Defense Minister approval of the Gaza City conquest plan demonstrates Israel’s commitment to achieving military objectives regardless of Gaza ceasefire proposal discussions, with Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasizing that the conflict has reached a pivotal moment requiring intensified strikes.
Netanyahu’s previous statements indicate Israel’s negotiating position remains unchanged, demanding “an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war”. This stance contrasts with the phased approach outlined in the current Gaza ceasefire proposal, potentially complicating diplomatic progress despite Hamas’s acceptance.
Israeli forces have already begun implementing expanded operations, with witnesses reporting tanks supported by air and artillery fire moving into Gaza City’s southern Sabra district, encircling schools and UN-operated facilities sheltering displaced Palestinians. The military official described the new combat phase as involving “a gradual precise and targeted operation in and around Gaza City,” including areas where forces had not previously operated.
Former President Donald Trump’s recent social media support for Israeli objectives, insisting Hamas must be “confronted and destroyed” to ensure hostage return, adds political complexity to Gaza ceasefire proposal efforts.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Mediation Efforts
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions, with over 60,000 Palestinians killed and more than 144,000 injured since October 7, 2023, according to OCHA statistics based on Gaza Ministry of Health figures. The conflict’s devastating impact extends beyond casualty numbers, affecting Gaza’s entire 2.2 million population who now face urgent needs for food, humanitarian assistance, and protection.
Verified data points on casualties and humanitarian impact of the Gaza conflict
International mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar represent what sources familiar with Hamas discussions described as potentially “a last-ditch attempt” to prevent further humanitarian deterioration. The mediators’ success in achieving Hamas’s Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance without amendments demonstrates significant diplomatic progress, particularly given the collapse of previous negotiations in July that had represented the best prospects for ending hostilities in recent months.
- More than 1.7 million individuals displaced to makeshift shelters with limited access to necessities
- Famine conditions imminent with 1.1 million people facing severe food insecurity according to IPC assessment
The International Rescue Committee has witnessed catastrophic conditions firsthand, continuing to deliver vital aid including clean water, cash assistance, and protection services despite severe safety concerns. The organization emphasizes that from a humanitarian perspective, a Gaza ceasefire proposal represents the most effective approach to fully protect Palestinian lives, secure hostage releases, and enable safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
The timing of Hamas’s Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance coincides with tens of thousands of Israelis holding some of the largest protests since the war began, urging a diplomatic deal to end fighting and secure the release of remaining hostages. This domestic pressure within Israel, combined with international mediation efforts and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, creates a complex environment where Gaza ceasefire proposal solutions face both urgent necessity and significant obstacles.
Closing Assessment
Hamas’s acceptance of the new Gaza ceasefire proposal represents a pivotal moment in the 22-month conflict, offering a potential pathway toward ending one of the most devastating wars in recent Middle Eastern history. The framework’s structured approach, featuring a 60-day truce with phased hostage releases and extensive humanitarian assistance, addresses core concerns of all parties while establishing foundations for comprehensive peace negotiations.
However, significant challenges remain in translating Hamas’s Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance into actual ceasefire implementation. Israel’s simultaneous approval of intensified military operations in Gaza City, combined with Netanyahu’s insistence on complete hostage release and Hamas disarmament, creates competing pressures that may complicate diplomatic progress. The success of Egyptian and Qatari mediation efforts in achieving Hamas’s unconditional Gaza ceasefire proposal acceptance demonstrates the potential for diplomatic solutions, yet Israel’s response will ultimately determine whether this breakthrough leads to meaningful conflict resolution.
The humanitarian imperative for Gaza ceasefire proposal implementation cannot be overstated, with Gaza’s 2.2 million residents facing catastrophic conditions and international organizations calling for immediate protection of civilian lives. As negotiators work to bridge remaining gaps between Hamas’s acceptance and Israel’s demands, the international community watches closely to see whether this Gaza ceasefire proposal opening can finally bring peace to a region devastated by more than 22 months of warfare.
