Hamas Proposes Two-Month Gaza Truce in Exchange for Half of Hostages: What You Need to Know

Hamas has proposed releasing half of the living hostages along with several deceased individuals in exchange for a two-month ceasefire, according to sources close to the situation. They also called for an urgent resumption of aid deliveries.

In addition to a ceasefire, Hamas is seeking strong guarantees from the U.S. that peace negotiations will start during this pause. They want Israel to remove any conditions that inhibit aid delivery. However, there is skepticism regarding the ability of the U.S. to influence Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to comply with these terms.

Recently, the last American hostage, Edan Alexander, was freed, leading Hamas to expect that Israel would facilitate the entry of humanitarian and food aid. Yet, this aid has not materialized, and the Trump administration also refrained from pressuring Israel.

Hamas has made further requests, including allowing family members of its leaders to leave Gaza. They expressed willingness to disarm if they can step back from governing Gaza. This comes after Netanyahu tasked his negotiating team with exhaustively seeking the release of hostages. Reports reveal that negotiations had become stalled, but Netanyahu has now given the team more flexibility to act.

A notable aspect of these ongoing negotiations is the impact of public sentiment. Social media reactions show a mix of hope and skepticism regarding the possibility of lasting peace. Many users are demanding transparency and more significant involvement from global powers in mediating the conflict.

Recent statistics underscore the scale of humanitarian needs in the region. A report by the United Nations indicates that nearly 1.5 million people in Gaza require immediate assistance, underscoring the urgency of resuming aid deliveries to mitigate suffering.

This situation highlights the complex interplay of international relations, humanitarian needs, and the persistent cycle of conflict. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this ceasefire can pave the way for a broader and more enduring peace.

For further context on the humanitarian situation, you may refer to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) report.

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