Israel Puts Forward New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal, but Hopes for Progress Remain Dim

A fresh ceasefire proposal from Israel has been delivered to Hamas through Egyptian mediation, according to Egyptian state-affiliated media. However, a senior Hamas official has indicated that the group is unlikely to accept the offer.

Mediators are said to be waiting for Hamas’ official response. Still, according to senior Hamas member Sami Abu Zuhri, the proposal fails to address key Palestinian demands—most notably, a full and unconditional end to Israeli military operations.

For the first time, Israel’s proposal reportedly includes a demand for Hamas to disarm in the next stage of negotiations—something Hamas firmly opposes. Abu Zuhri said that giving up weapons is completely out of the question and not up for discussion.

Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza in March, ending a temporary ceasefire that had begun in late January. Recent negotiations in Cairo aimed at reviving the truce and securing the release of Israeli hostages concluded without any tangible progress, according to sources familiar with the talks.

Hamas has maintained that any deal must include a complete end to the war and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, in line with the previously agreed three-phase truce. Israel, on the other hand, has stated it will not halt the war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are returned.

According to Abu Zuhri, Hamas is prepared to release all remaining hostages at once—if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw its troops.

Since resuming its offensive last month, Israeli military actions have led to the deaths of more than 1,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The fighting has also forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes and has cut off the flow of essential supplies into the territory.

At present, 59 Israeli hostages are believed to still be in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating that 24 of them are alive.


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