A key mediator on Tuesday underscored the urgency of securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after Hamas signaled a “positive response” to a proposal advanced by Arab countries. Israel, however, has yet to formally weigh in as its military prepares for an expanded offensive in densely populated areas of the territory.
The looming assault on Gaza City and other districts sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians has sparked mounting international concern. After 22 months of war that has killed tens of thousands and devastated infrastructure, Palestinians insist there is nowhere left to flee.
“They are talking about a 60-day truce, and after Israel gets its hostages they will strike us again,” said Huda Rishe, a Palestinian woman who has been displaced four times since the war began. “We will return to Gaza City and then leave again. We have lost hope.” AP journalists observed some families arriving in central Gaza after fleeing northern areas.
For Israelis, the conflict remains equally fraught. Hundreds of thousands rallied on Sunday, demanding government action as fears grow for the hostages still held in Gaza. Of the 50 hostages believed to remain, only about 20 are thought to be alive. Many families fear an expanded offensive could further jeopardize their survival.
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Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, told reporters that Hamas had accepted the terms under discussion, though he declined to reveal specifics. He emphasized that the proposal closely mirrors one previously advanced by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. That plan called for a 60-day ceasefire during which some hostages would be released, while negotiations continued for a permanent truce and the release of the rest.
“If this proposal fails, the crisis will exacerbate,” al-Ansari warned, noting that mediators have yet to receive Israel’s official response.
As the region braces for what could be a turning point, both sides face intensifying pressure: Hamas from war-weary Palestinians who have lost nearly everything, and Israel from citizens desperate to bring loved ones home. The next few days may prove decisive in determining whether diplomacy or military escalation takes the lead.