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Israel to respond by Friday on Gaza ceasefire plan accepted by Hamas

The sun setting behind destroyed buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory on August 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
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The sun setting behind destroyed buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory on August 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
August 20, 2025 11:52 AM GMT+03:00

Israel said it will deliver its response to international mediators by Friday regarding a new Gaza ceasefire plan accepted by Hamas, as mounting pressure grows for a truce in a war that has claimed more than 62,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023.

The proposed plan reportedly includes a phased release of about half of the remaining living hostages and bodies in exchange for approximately 150 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, some serving life sentences, during a proposed 60-day ceasefire.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Tuesday the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal agreed by Hamas was "almost identical" to an earlier plan put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

"Hamas had given a very positive response, and it truly was almost identical to what the Israeli side had previously agreed to," al-Ansari said during a news briefing in Doha.

A picture shows a moored dhow with the Doha skyline in the background on a hot and humid summer day on August 6, 2025. (AFP Photo)
A picture shows a moored dhow with the Doha skyline in the background on a hot and humid summer day on August 6, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Israel maintains hardline position

Despite the progress, Israeli officials maintain their demand for the release of all hostages in any deal. A senior Israeli official told AFP the government's stance had not changed.

"Hamas is in the final decision stage. We will not leave any hostage behind," the official said, according to Israeli state television KAN.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene talks on the proposal in the coming days, according to two Israeli officials who spoke to local media.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Monday that Egypt and Qatar had sent the new proposal to Israel, stating "the ball is now in its court."

The Egyptian minister noted that "significant progress" has been made on reaching a ceasefire deal, following intensive contacts with several foreign officials, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Mossad chief David Barnea recently visited Qatar amid speculation that talks are more active than officially acknowledged by Israel.

This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli tanks deployed in the bordering area of the besieged Palestinian territory on August 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)
This picture taken from a position at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli tanks deployed in the bordering area of the besieged Palestinian territory on August 19, 2025. (AFP Photo)

US involvement in negotiations

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the United States continues to discuss the Gaza ceasefire plan accepted by Hamas.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president made a very strong statement about this conflict on social media yesterday. The U.S. continues to discuss this," Leavitt said during a daily press briefing.

U.S. President Donald Trump had posted on Truth Social that the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza would be possible "when Hamas is confronted and destroyed."

Current situation and Egypt's weapons custody proposal deny

Egyptian sources denied Israeli media reports suggesting Egypt had proposed temporarily taking custody of Hamas weapons as part of a comprehensive plan for Gaza's future.

High-level Egyptian sources speaking to Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera News Channel rejected claims by Israeli media, including state television KAN, about any such weapons custody arrangement.

According to Israeli estimates, around 50 captives remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. Israel holds more than 10,800 Palestinians in its prisons, with rights groups reporting deaths due to torture, hunger and medical neglect.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Hamas announced Monday it had accepted the Egyptian-Qatari proposal, which reportedly includes repositioning Israeli forces near borders to facilitate humanitarian aid entry and negotiations to end the war.

August 20, 2025 11:53 AM GMT+03:00
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