Hamas Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal; Israel Signals No Shift as Toll Tops 62,000

The Big Picture

Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire plan put forward by Arab mediators, even as Israel signaled no change in its stance and Gaza’s Health Ministry said the death toll has surpassed 62,000 after nearly two years of war, according to the Associated Press. In Washington, President Donald Trump posted that remaining hostages would only return when Hamas is “confronted and destroyed,” underscoring U.S. skepticism about the prospects for a deal.

Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire plan

What’s New

A Hamas source said the group agreed to the new proposal “without requesting any amendments,” with mediators in Egypt and Qatar preparing to set a date to resume negotiations and offering implementation guarantees, as reported by The New Arabs citing AFP. A Palestinian official said the outline includes an initial 60-day truce and a staged release of captives in two batches. Israel has yet to issue a formal response, and its leadership recently approved expanded operations around Gaza City and nearby camps. The Hamas-accepted Gaza ceasefire plan would hinge on verifiable steps and third-party oversight.

What They’re Saying

Context

For months, Egypt and Qatar—backed by U.S. engagement—have sought to convert temporary pauses and draft frameworks into a sustained ceasefire and wider exchange of detainees and hostages. Pressure has mounted as civilian casualties and displacement in Gaza have grown and domestic criticism has intensified in Israel. Proposals have tied phased releases to withdrawals and security arrangements, while disputes continue over sequencing, guarantors, and the future role of Hamas’s armed wing.

What’s Next

Mediators are expected to announce when talks will resume and detail enforcement guarantees. If Israel declines, momentum could stall; if talks proceed, the first tests would be a 60-day truce and an initial release of captives under monitoring. Washington’s stance—skeptical but engaged—suggests any breakthrough will require verifiable security steps and a credible path to bring hostages home under the Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire plan framework.

The Bottom Line

Hamas says it is ready to move on a ceasefire; Israel has not shifted. The coming days will show whether mediation can turn a paper plan into a real pause that protects civilians and delivers measurable progress on hostage returns.

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