Could a ceasefire finally be struck in Gaza? Here’s what to know

WNN— 

Donald Trump has not been shy about his desire for an end to the war in Gaza. After the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran concluded with a ceasefire, the US president has been pushing hard for a truce between Israel and Hamas, saying he was “looking for it to happen next week,” when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House. Trump announced Tuesday that Israel had “agreed to the necessary conditions” to finalize a 60-day ceasefire. An Israeli official confirmed that the country accepted the latest proposal. On Saturday, Netanyahu will convene his full cabinet to discuss it. Hamas, meanwhile, said it was considering the latest proposal, without indicating whether it would accept it. The two sides have long had conflicting demands that negotiators have been unable to bridge, but there are renewed hopes of a deal as the war enters its 21st month. Here’s what to know.

Why now?

Since the Israel-Iran ceasefire on June 24, mediators Qatar and Egypt – as well as the United States – have redoubled their calls for a new Gaza truce. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told the Israel-Iran agreement had created “momentum” for the latest talks between Israel and Hamas.

What’s in the proposed deal?

The precise details of the new proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release deal remain murky.

The Qatari prime minister previously said Qatar and Egypt had been working to find a “middle ground” to move forward from the US-conceived truce proposed months ago. That proposal outlined a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of a further 18 hostages taken by Hamas during its attacks on October 7, 2023.

Of the 50 hostages still in Gaza, at least 20 of them are believed to be alive, according to the Israeli government.

The United States and the mediators have provided stronger assurances about reaching a settlement to end the war in Gaza as part of the updated proposal, the Israeli official told CNN. The official did not provide the specific language in the document, but said the wording is stronger than previous assurances.

As part of the latest proposal, Israel has also agreed to allow a surge of humanitarian aid through traditional UN-run humanitarian channels rather than through the controversial US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Israeli official said.

A source familiar with negotiations said the stronger language in the proposal aims to preserve the ceasefire and keep both sides at the negotiating table past 60 days if a deal to end the war is not reached by then.