After 21 months of war, hopes are rising for a Gaza ceasefire as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets United States President, Donald Trump in Washington.
Trump told reporters he had been “very firm” with Netanyahu and expressed confidence in reaching a deal this week.
“We are working to achieve the deal that has been discussed, under the conditions we have agreed,” Netanyahu said before departing for the US, adding that talks with Trump could help advance a long-awaited outcome.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar on Sunday evening, focused on a US-sponsored 60-day ceasefire and hostage release plan.
While optimism is emerging, major differences remain unresolved. In Gaza, weary Palestinians continue to suffer from daily bombardment and harsh living conditions, while families of Israeli hostages are still waiting anxiously.
“I don’t wish for a truce but a complete stop to all war,” said Nabil Abu Dayah, who fled with his family from Beit Lahia. “We got so tired of displacement, thirst, and hunger… When it comes to life’s necessities, we have zero.”
On Saturday evening, thousands rallied in Israel demanding a deal to bring back around 50 hostages, with some families frustrated that the deal may not secure the release of all captives at once.
Ilay David, whose brother was filmed by Hamas in torment, told a crowd in Jerusalem, “This is the time to save lives… to sign a comprehensive agreement that will lead to the release of all the hostages, every single one, without exception.”
Netanyahu’s latest White House visit is his third since Trump returned to office six months ago, but the first since the US joined Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
The brief 12-day war is seen by analysts as having created momentum for ending the Gaza conflict, with Netanyahu now enjoying stronger domestic support despite opposition from his far-right coalition allies.
Hamas, weakened by the recent Israeli-Iranian escalation and strikes on its regional backer, Iran, may also be more open to compromise.
Meanwhile, Trump is eager to shift focus to other regional priorities—resuming border talks between Israel and Syria, normalising Israel-Saudi Arabia relations, and reviving nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Central to the stalemate is the divergence between Hamas and Israel on the future of the war. Israel is willing to pause hostilities temporarily to return hostages, but refuses to end the war. Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The latest US-backed framework reportedly includes a US guarantee of continued negotiations toward a lasting ceasefire.
Reports suggest the deal would see Hamas release 28 hostages, 10 alive and 18 dead,over five stages across 60 days, without the fanfare of past handovers. In return, humanitarian aid would increase significantly, Israeli troops would gradually withdraw from parts of Gaza, and prisoner exchanges would take place.
On Day 10, Hamas would declare the condition of remaining hostages, and Israel would provide information on over 2,000 Gazans held in administrative detention.
Trump has called this the “final” truce proposal and claimed Israel has agreed to the essential terms. Hamas said it responded with a “positive spirit” but flagged concerns.
A Palestinian official said disagreements remain, particularly over humanitarian oversight. Hamas wants the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation removed and UN agencies reinstated as the primary aid providers.
Other sticking points include the timeline for Israeli military withdrawal and the operation of the Rafah crossing on Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. Netanyahu’s office rejected Hamas’ proposed changes as “not acceptable.” The Israeli leader maintains that Hamas must be disarmed, a condition Hamas continues to reject.
The Israeli military chief, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, said last week that Israel is nearing the completion of its war goals.
He urged the government to choose between finalising a hostage deal or preparing for renewed military control of Gaza. Public opinion appears to favour the former, with polls showing two-thirds of Israelis support a ceasefire to bring hostages home.
Still, some in Gaza fear that the current optimism is more about easing tensions during Netanyahu’s US visit than about real peace progress. Similar sentiments were voiced when Trump last toured the Gulf.
As political decisions loom, humanitarian conditions in Gaza grow more desperate, with malnutrition among children and fuel shortages crippling medical care and communication.
Israel launched the war in response to Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages.
Since then, over 57,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are widely cited by the UN and international agencies as the most reliable casualty count available.