JERUSALEM, Aug 20 — As the world watches with cautious hope, a new opportunity for peace has emerged — yet again, hanging by a thread. Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza, but Israel remains adamant: no deal unless every hostage is released.
Behind the scenes, Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States, are mediating tirelessly. According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the new proposal is nearly identical to what Israel had previously accepted — a sign of possible alignment after nearly two years of devastating conflict.
But Israel’s official stance hasn’t budged. A senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously, stressed that any deal must include the complete release of hostages. This includes the remaining 49 out of 251 individuals kidnapped during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, among whom 27 are believed to be dead.
Despite this, Hamas signaled a readiness for peace. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi stated they’ve “opened the door wide” for an agreement. But the world is now asking — will Israel walk through it?
Meanwhile, tensions are rising at home. In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets, pleading for a resolution, and demanding the government secure the safe return of hostages. The public pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is palpable, yet he’s remained silent on the latest plan. He did say, however, that Israel would only agree to a ceasefire that results in the full release of hostages “at once and according to our conditions.”
The new proposal reportedly includes a 60-day truce, partial hostage release, aid entry, and the release of Palestinian prisoners — a significant step forward in a conflict with few breakthroughs.
Still, Israel’s military is not slowing down. On Tuesday, a new offensive on Gaza City was presented to the Defence Ministry. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed 48 more Palestinians, worsening an already dire humanitarian catastrophe.
On the ground, the suffering is unbearable. In Zeitoun and Sabra, artillery fire continues. In Khan Yunis, Israeli airstrikes targeted what the military called “Hamas militants.” In the north, desperate civilians like Shawg Al-Badri carry bags of flour for hours, calling it their “white gold.” “This bag is worth the whole world,” she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion and hope.
As of now, over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed, most civilians. The death toll from the original October attack stands at 1,219 Israelis, also mostly civilians.
With peace once again on the table, the world waits. Will this be the moment the cycle of violence breaks — or just another missed opportunity?
