The United States has reported progress in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with indications that Israel might consider a “bridging proposal” designed to end nearly 11 months of intense conflict in Gaza. This development comes months after President Joe Biden mentioned a similar ceasefire plan in June, which ultimately failed due to disputes over its terms.
As of now, Israel has not publicly endorsed the new “bridging proposal.” Reports suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is resistant to certain concessions required to finalize a deal. President Biden is said to have urged Netanyahu to moderate his stance on Israeli control over parts of Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas has criticized the proposal, calling it a “reversal” of prior agreements and accusing the U.S. of imposing new demands on Israel.
Previous ceasefire attempts have struggled, with the last successful temporary halt in violence occurring in November 2023. That pause facilitated the release of 105 Israeli hostages and approximately 240 Palestinian prisoners and focused on prisoner exchanges and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The current goal is to halt the ongoing conflict, which, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has resulted in at least 40,000 Palestinian deaths, with many bodies still trapped under rubble.
A major sticking point in the negotiations remains a fundamental disagreement over the nature of the ceasefire. Hamas is pushing for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, while Prime Minister Netanyahu insists that the fighting can only cease once Hamas is defeated—an outcome that many view as increasingly unlikely. Additionally, Israel seeks to maintain a security presence in Gaza post-conflict, a condition that Hamas strongly opposes.
The urgency for a fair ceasefire agreement has intensified due to ongoing attacks by both Israeli forces and Palestinian settlers, as well as the escalating risk of a broader regional conflict involving Lebanon and Iran. Despite the renewed focus on negotiations, skepticism persists over whether this effort will succeed where others have failed.
Written by: Christopher Emuakpeje and Blossom Kugbere
Edited by: Chris Odjomah