Israel has signaled its readiness to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Hamas aimed at ending the ongoing Gaza conflict, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the conditions for a temporary ceasefire. Speaking on Thursday, Netanyahu emphasized that any lasting resolution will require Hamas to relinquish its weapons and control over the Palestinian territory. He cautioned that if negotiations fail to meet Israel’s demands, further military action would be necessary.
This announcement comes amidst escalating violence, with recent airstrikes resulting in significant casualties. On the same day, reports emerged from Gaza’s civil defense agency indicating that eight children lost their lives while waiting for nutritional supplies outside a health clinic, constituting part of a broader death toll of 66 from Israeli strikes. Among the victims was a one-year-old boy, who had reportedly just begun speaking hours before his death.
The potential for a 60-day ceasefire has been a key topic in discussions between Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, taking place in Washington. Indirect talks have been ongoing between Hamas and Israel in Qatar, with Hamas agreeing to release 10 of the 20 hostages still alive since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023.
However, notable points of contention remain. Hamas is demanding unrestricted access for humanitarian aid into Gaza and is seeking concrete assurances regarding a sustainable peace. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that “progress has been made,” yet acknowledged that resolving all outstanding issues would likely require several more days. He noted that there are still differing opinions on the number of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for the hostages.
Saar clarified that the current plan entails the release of eight hostages initially, with two additional releases slated for the 50th day of the ceasefire. He also mentioned that 18 bodies of hostages are expected to be handed over in this timeframe. While a long-term ceasefire is up for discussion, Saar reiterated the substantial differences that exist, particularly regarding Hamas’s future control over Gaza.
Netanyahu, facing increasing domestic pressure due to rising military casualties, stated that disarming Hamas is essential to Israel’s security objectives. He expressed a willingness to negotiate but warned that if these conditions couldn’t be met within the proposed 60 days, military action would remain an option.
On the Hamas side, senior official Bassem Naim responded firmly, stating that the group would reject any attempts to entrench the occupation or force Palestinians into isolated enclaves. Naim highlighted strong opposition to Israeli authority over critical areas such as Rafah near the Egyptian border.
Eyewitness accounts from the recently impacted locations depict a harrowing reality. One resident described the sheer terror and chaos as a drone approached just before an explosion, turning the scene into one of “blood and deafening screams.” The ongoing violence has faced scrutiny from humanitarian groups, with the head of a U.S. medical charity condemning the strikes as a serious violation of humanitarian law.
According to reports from the Hamas-run health ministry, the conflict has already resulted in at least 57,762 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among civilians. The initial Hamas attack in October caused the deaths of 1,219 individuals, including many civilians, while 251 hostages were captured, of whom 49 are still known to be in Gaza, with indications that 27 have since died.
