'Major hurdles' remain in Gaza truce talks despite claims of progress
Trump said on Tuesday that Israel "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalise the 60 Day ceasefire".
The US president, who is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, added that during the nearly two-month truce, parties will work on ending the war.
"The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal."
Despite reports in Israeli media suggesting progress in truce negotiations, other accounts hint at serious challenges hampering the process.
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Speaking to The Times of Israel, two Arab diplomats said that "major hurdles remain", particularly around the recently established US-Israeli aid distribution system operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Hamas has demanded a return to the previous UN-run aid delivery mechanism.
The controversial GHF, which began operations in late May after a three-month complete blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, has been sharply criticised.
More than 580 Palestinians have been killed and over 4,200 wounded by Israeli troops while attempting to access food and aid supplies.
Hamas's concerns have been echoed by international organisations. On Tuesday, over 170 NGOs jointly called for an end to what they described as the 'deadly' US- and Israeli-backed GHF system, urging a return to United Nations-led aid coordination.
While some Israeli media outlets have reported signs of Netanyahu's willingness to resume negotiations, others paint a different picture.
Channel 13, for instance, quoted Netanyahu taking a hardline stance during a recent security cabinet meeting, reportedly stating: 'We need to kill every person that holds a weapon. Nothing less than this.'
As for mediation efforts, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stated on Monday that 'it is too early to talk about a timeframe for a ceasefire agreement', noting that current efforts are focused on restarting talks.
A phone call on Tuesday between the foreign ministers of Egypt and Qatar affirmed both countries' commitment to a joint effort aimed at ending the bloodshed in Gaza, securing the release of prisoners and detainees, and facilitating the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
Though Hamas has yet to release an official statement, senior official Taher al-Nunu told Palestinian media that the movement is 'ready and serious about reaching an agreement' and is open to 'any proposal that clearly meets the requirements for ending the war or leads to its complete end'.
Captive exchange and aid increase
According to Israel's Kan 11 news outlet, two diplomatic sources say the current ceasefire proposal includes a 60-day truce, during which eight living Israeli captives would be released.
Two additional hostages would be released on the 50th day of the ceasefire, alongside the return of 18 Israeli bodies held in Gaza.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid tells Netanyahu to accept Gaza truce deal Read More »
Meanwhile, Qatar's version of the proposal includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Morag axis and an increase in humanitarian aid entering the besieged territory.
The Morag axis, primarily agricultural land, runs between Khan Younis and Rafah, stretching east to west across southern Gaza. It also includes areas previously designated by the Israeli army as a "humanitarian zone", where displaced Palestinians had been instructed to seek refuge.
An Israeli source speaking to Haaretz claimed that while Israel has shown "flexibility" on several issues, it remains firm on troop withdrawal boundaries, refusing to pull back beyond the line defined in the last ceasefire agreement.
The source also noted that the current draft does not provide detailed provisions on aid distribution but includes broad language allowing for large-scale humanitarian relief, echoing clauses from previous agreements.
On the Palestinian side, a source stated that Hamas has not officially responded to Trump's recent comments, citing the absence of a formal, detailed proposal. The source added that the key point of disagreement lies in what happens after the 60-day truce.
Normalisation push
The same source told Haaretz that while the latest proposal does not explicitly guarantee an end to the war in Gaza, it includes "very strong assurances" on the matter.
One clause, for example, states that if no agreement is reached within the 60-day ceasefire, mediators will be responsible for continuing negotiations 'under certain conditions.
Trump lifts bulk of US sanctions against Syria Read More »
"These are not just words, this is also the general atmosphere that allows Hamas to see how much the Americans want and can take Israel there," the source added.
An Arab official believes that Hamas would only agree to the current draft of the proposal if there is a document or oral promise from Washington that the truce would lead to an end to the war.
According to a number of sources speaking to Haaretz, the current truce draft could include "diplomatic compensation" for Israel, including normalisation and establishing relations with several Arab states.
The sources in Israel, the US and Gulf countries said the achievements are likely to include a resumption in establishing relations with Saudi Arabia and an end to hostilities with Syria, as well as normalisation with Oman.
Such moves aim to soften the approach of far-right ministers under Netanyahu's government, many of whom are against ending the war.
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