By The United States has reported significant progress in negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, with Israel reportedly agreeing to a “bridging proposal” designed to end nearly 11 months of brutal conflict in Gaza. This announcement echoes a similar assertion made by President Joe Biden in June, which ultimately faltered when Israel rejected his proposed framework.
Currently, Israel has not officially endorsed the “bridging proposal,” and reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is resistant to concessions that could pave the way for a successful agreement. Biden reportedly spoke with Netanyahu on Wednesday, urging him to reconsider demands related to Israeli control over parts of Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas has criticized the proposal, describing it as a “reversal” of previous agreements and accusing the US of imposing new demands on the agreement.
Previous ceasefire efforts have been unsuccessful, with the last temporary cessation of violence occurring in November 2023. This short-term agreement allowed for the release of 105 Israeli hostages and approximately 240 Palestinian prisoners but did not address a comprehensive end to hostilities. The current objective is to halt the fighting, which has resulted in at least 40,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza’s health ministry. Given the extensive devastation and bodies buried under rubble, the actual death toll is likely significantly higher.
A major challenge in the negotiations is the fundamental disagreement over the nature of a ceasefire. Hamas demands a permanent end to the conflict, while Netanyahu has insisted that hostilities can only cease once Hamas is dismantled—a goal that is increasingly seen as unachievable. Furthermore, Israel has indicated a desire to maintain a security presence in Gaza after the war, a condition that Hamas has rejected.
