AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Despite doubts and no official withdrawal, ceasefire talks for Gaza continue. A US proposal, described by Trump as Hamas’ “last warning,” involves hostage release, a ceasefire, and Israeli withdrawal. Hamas initially deemed the proposal a “humiliating surrender,” wanting a complete Israeli withdrawal and prisoner exchange for the remaining hostages. Netanyahu rejects these terms, demanding continued war until all hostages are freed and Hamas is disarmed, with Israel maintaining Gaza security control. The current proposal differs from past mediations focusing on temporary ceasefires and partial hostage releases, which ultimately failed.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
While doubts remain over the prospect of reaching a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza, no party has yet officially withdrawn.
Donald Trump had earlier described the latest US proposal as a “last warning” for Hamas, with Israel approving the deal’s terms.
Hamas had been mulling its response before Israel’s strike on its leadership in Qatar – see the post below this one for that attack’s impact on talks – but had labelled it a “humiliating surrender document”.
Here’s what it actually entails…
The proposal, presented by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, calls for a negotiated end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
That would only happen once the hostages are released and a ceasefire established.Â
That’s according to Egyptian and Hamas officials familiar with negotiations, who spoke anonymously to reveal the closed-door discussions.
Disagreements
Hamas has said it will only release the remaining 48 hostages – around 20 of whom are believed to be alive – in a swap for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu has rejected those terms, insisting the war will continue until all the hostages have been freed and Hamas disarmed.
Israel, he said, would maintain open-ended security control over Gaza.
Past focus
Mediators have previously focused on a temporary ceasefire, with the release of some hostages.
Two sides would then hold talks on a more permanent truce, under that arrangement.
Witkoff walked away from those talks in July, after which Hamas accepted a proposal mediators said was almost identical to an earlier version Israel had approved.
