Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Proposal, Israel’s Approval Pending

Hamas announced on Monday that it has accepted a new ceasefire proposal mediated by Arab nations, contingent on Israel’s approval. This development comes as the Gaza Health Ministry reports that the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of conflict has surpassed 62,000. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza raises urgent concerns as experts warn that the region is on the brink of famine.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding the negotiations, stating on his Truth Social platform, “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.” His comments reflect a growing frustration over the stalled peace talks.

Israel has declared plans to reoccupy Gaza City and other densely populated areas after ceasefire discussions appeared to collapse last month. This has intensified fears of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, as hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested on Sunday demanding the return of hostages taken during the October 7 attack that initiated the war.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed that mediators are working diligently to revive a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire. This truce would allow for the release of some hostages while negotiations for a more permanent solution take place. During a visit to Egypt’s Rafah crossing, which has remained nonfunctional since Israel seized the Palestinian side in May, Abdelatty was accompanied by Mohammad Mustafa, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority.

Abdelatty noted that Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is also part of the talks, which include senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. They are considering various ideas, including a comprehensive deal that would see the simultaneous release of all hostages.

A senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim, confirmed to the Associated Press that the group accepted the proposal without providing further details. An anonymous Egyptian official elaborated that the proposal modifies Israel’s troop withdrawal and includes guarantees for discussions on a lasting ceasefire during the initial truce. This proposal is reportedly similar to one previously accepted by Israel, which has yet to participate in the latest talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue military operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, insisting on maintaining security control over Gaza. Hamas has countered that it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The conflict has seen Hamas militants abduct 251 people and kill approximately 1,200, predominantly civilians, during the initial attack. Currently, 50 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with around 20 thought to be alive.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the war has resulted in 62,004 fatalities, with over 156,230 individuals wounded. While the ministry does not specify the number of civilian versus combatant deaths, it indicates that women and children represent about half of those killed. The ministry, associated with the Hamas government, is staffed by medical professionals, and its figures are considered by the United Nations and independent experts to be the most reliable wartime casualty estimates.

Israel disputes these figures but has not provided its own. The ministry has stated that 1,965 individuals have died while seeking humanitarian aid since May, either due to chaos surrounding U.N. convoys or while trying to reach sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. Witnesses and health officials have reported that Israeli forces have repeatedly fired at crowds seeking aid, although Israel maintains that it only fired warning shots. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims its armed contractors have only occasionally used pepper spray or fired into the air to manage crowds.

Experts warn that Israel’s ongoing military offensive is pushing Gaza toward famine, despite a partial lifting of a 2.5-month blockade in May. On Monday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported five additional deaths from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total to at least 112 children and 151 adults since the war began. Amnesty International accused Israel of conducting a “deliberate campaign of starvation,” a claim Israel has rejected, asserting that sufficient food is allowed into Gaza and blaming the U.N. for delivery delays.

In a related issue, Israeli lawmaker Simcha Rothman accused Australia of antisemitism after being denied a visa for a speaking tour. Rothman, a member of the Religious Zionism party, supports the continuation of the war and the mass relocation of Palestinians. The Australian Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, defended the decision, stating, “If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don’t want you here.”

In retaliation, Israel revoked visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority and instructed its embassy in Australia to thoroughly review any official visa applications from Australia. This diplomatic spat comes after Australia joined 27 other Western-allied nations in a joint statement calling for an end to the conflict and imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers accused of inciting violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments expected as negotiations continue.