Hamas agrees to new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, conflict nearing end?

According to Al Jazeera on August 18, Hamas forces told mediators that they accepted the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza and were ready to resume negotiations.

“Hamas accepts the ceasefire proposal made by Qatari and Egyptian mediators on August 17,” Hamas said in a brief statement on August 18. The Times of Israel and Channel 12 reported that Israel had received a response from Hamas.

Hamas forces accept new ceasefire proposal in Gaza. Photo: Tass.

A source close to the talks told Al Jazeera that the proposal includes a 60-day pause in military operations, during which the Israeli military would allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

In addition, Hamas will release 25 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The new proposal “marks the beginning of a path towards a comprehensive solution,” the source said.

Hamas' announcement came after Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo.

However, according to Al Jazeera, considering the failure of previous negotiations, Hamas' acceptance of the new ceasefire proposal does not mean the conflict is about to end.

Over the past two years, Hamas has accepted ceasefire proposals and released Israeli hostages, but Israel has not agreed to the deals and continued the conflict.

The key issue remains the duration of the ceasefire. Hamas wants a permanent end to the war, while Israel wants a temporary ceasefire that would allow it to resume its military campaign and evacuation of Gaza after the release of hostages held in the territory.

Egypt's foreign minister said more than two million people living in the Gaza Strip are facing a humanitarian crisis "beyond imagination". Photo: Anadolu.

A ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, which was due to take effect in January 2025, was unilaterally broken by Israel in March. Since then, Israel’s blockade of aid supplies has led to a humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza, killing more than 260 Palestinians.

Egypt's foreign minister says more than two million people living in the Gaza Strip are facing a humanitarian crisis "beyond imagination".

The most recent round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by mediators in Doha, dragged on for weeks before ending on July 25 without any results.

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