Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially endorsed a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, following weeks of mounting diplomatic pressure and growing international condemnation of Israel’s military campaign. The plan, reportedly mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, outlines a 60-day pause in hostilities, coinciding with religious observances including Ramadan and Passover.
The framework includes the release of 28 hostages—10 alive and 18 deceased—as well as provisions for the gradual resumption of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. While Israeli authorities have welcomed the proposal, it stops short of promising a permanent cessation of violence or a full-scale withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories.
Hamas has acknowledged receipt of the proposal and is currently reviewing its terms. However, early indications suggest the group remains skeptical, citing the plan’s failure to address key demands, including an end to the blockade, reconstruction guarantees, and a long-term ceasefire mechanism. The group’s spokesperson warned that without fundamental changes, the ceasefire may merely serve to delay, rather than resolve, the ongoing conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate. According to multiple on-the-ground reports, Israeli forces have repeatedly obstructed humanitarian convoys at the Kerem Shalom crossing, effectively halting the delivery of life-saving aid. The death toll in Gaza now exceeds 54,000, with a significant proportion of the casualties being women and children. Aerial bombardments have decimated critical infrastructure, leaving vast areas uninhabitable and hundreds of thousands displaced.
International observers and human rights organizations remain deeply critical of Israel’s military strategy, viewing the temporary ceasefire as a superficial gesture designed to deflect global scrutiny. Many warn that unless the root causes of the conflict are addressed—including territorial occupation, systemic blockades, and the denial of Palestinian self-determination—the current truce will not produce any meaningful or lasting outcomes.
While US officials have framed the plan as a step toward de-escalation, critics argue that the initiative reflects Washington’s prioritization of regional stability over justice. The failure to hold Israel accountable for extensive civilian casualties and repeated violations of international law has further eroded the credibility of Western diplomacy in the region.
As ceasefire negotiations unfold, the international community faces a critical juncture. The world’s response in the coming days will likely determine whether this latest agreement becomes a turning point toward peace or yet another chapter in a prolonged and deeply asymmetric conflict.