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For over two years, the Gaza conflict has seen intermittent ceasefires. A significant earlier agreement came into effect in January 2025 a phased, hostage prisoner exchange that began January 19, involved the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, and included a temporary ceasefire. However, escalation resumed as Hamas and Israel disagreed over subsequent phases.
Latest Developments: On September 8, 2025, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking in Budapest alongside his Hungarian counterpart, Saar said Israel is ready to agree to a full peace deal aimed at ending the war, including provisions for releasing hostages and demanding Hamas’s disarmament.
Israel Intensifies Strikes as U.S. Ceasefire Proposal Moves Forward
History & Background
Despite temporary pauses in fighting earlier this year, hostilities have persisted. Israel has repeatedly conditioned further negotiations or extensions on Hamas releasing more hostages and submitting to demilitarization. However, phases stalled as both sides remained far apart, and a rising humanitarian crisis deepened the stakes.
Latest Developments
On September 8, 2025, Israel demolished another Gaza City high-rise, citing Hamas’s use of the building for surveillance and military storage, despite prior evacuations.
The toll is stark: in the previous 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 65 Palestinian deaths and 320 wounded, with four Israeli soldiers killed, pushing Israeli war casualties since the 2023 invasion to over 450.
Simultaneously, Israel vowed a “mighty hurricane” of strikes to compel Hamas to surrender, coinciding with the U.S. envoy’s fresh ceasefire proposal that includes releasing all remaining hostages (around 48) in exchange for a temporary truce and Israeli pullback.
History & Background
Ceasefire talks have long been mediated by regional and global players Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. but stalemated over disarmament, governance of Gaza, and hostages. Israel has also previously paused or conditioned aid in response to stalled talks.
Latest Developments
On September 9, 2025, Israel ordered a mass evacuation of Gaza City ahead of a ground offensive, triggering panic among its roughly one million residents.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed urgency, warning civilians to leave before operations begin. Qatar, acting as mediator in Doha, continues urging Hamas to accept the U.S.-backed ceasefire-hostage proposal, which Israel now backs.
Humanitarian agencies warn that a further push into Gaza City could worsen famine and displacement across the territory, which already houses 2.2 million people in crisis. Israel reports control over about 75% of Gaza.
Summary of Current Situation
Israel has publicly accepted a U.S.-sponsored ceasefire plan endorsed by President Trump, focused on hostage release and disarmament of Hamas.
Meanwhile, military operations have escalated, with significant civilian impact and mass evacuations underway.
The humanitarian outlook remains dire even as international mediation intensifies.
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