Description: Hamas has officially stated that the organization is reviewing the latest ceasefire proposal submitted by the US for ending the war in Gaza. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump has stated that Israel has accepted the latest proposal in general terms as he is set to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu next week and announce the outcome of the latest proposal. Mediators Qatar and Egypt have stated that the document contained modified language from the previous ceasefire proposal outlined by US Special envoy Steve Witkoff but offered stronger assurances to both sides that the potential ceasefire would be a prelude to ending the war in Gaza. According to some of the proposed provisions in the agreement, Hamas would commit to gradually returning Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. The exchange would also be complimented by withdrawals from the Israeli army and the immediate opening of corridors for supplying the enclave with the necessary humanitarian aid. Both Hamas and Israel have reportedly agreed through mediators, the humanitarian mission to be led by the UN and supported by the Palestinian Red Crescent, with the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation also maintaining activities. After the completion of the exchanges, Israel is expected to fully withdraw from Gaza where the governance of the enclave would be handed over to politically unaffiliated group known as the Community Support Committee.
Impact: The latest ceasefire proposal is the most concrete resolution shelved in front of the warring parties and offers amendments which would ensure Israel’s potential withdrawal and stymie Hamas’ potential resurgence in the region. Israel is yet to formally accept the proposal, however, recent pressure from the US and their involvement in the 12 – day war indebted Israel to repay the US through prioritizing a resolution which would end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu is facing splintered political waves on the domestic front, with right and far – right elements within his own party and Israel’s Parliament are pressuring him to decline any peace proposal while Hamas is still even remotely operational in the region. The Israeli political opposition accentuates the need for the hostages to be rescued and the war to be ended as they have offered Netanyahu unequivocal support in Parliament if his coalition eventually fails to support the ceasefire proposal. Hamas has been drawn out from Iran’s sphere of influence as both the country and its proxy organization are facing existential decisions ahead of them. The pressure from the mediators, the current state of Hamas’ inoperability, threatening presence from rival groups and the general disapproval from the civilian population in Gaza would most probably force the organization to agree to the ceasefire proposal. Even with the potential ceasefire in effect, the security and humanitarian situation in the region remains volatile, as the proposal does not outline concrete steps in ensuring the cessation of armed hostilities.