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Rabat – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a meeting of his security cabinet this evening to discuss a Gaza ceasefire proposal from Hamas, Reuters reported. This development, which represents renewed hope for a ceasefire in the war-torn stripe, follows negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye.
On Wednesday, Hamas said it presented new “ideas” aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of captives.
The proposal, which Israel said it is “evaluating”, has stirred significant public and political interest. The Association of Families of Israeli Prisoners Detained in Gaza has warned that millions will protest if the Israeli government does not accept the deal.
The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronoth reported a rift between the country’s security establishment and its political leadership over the potential prisoner exchange deal. The outlet said that senior security sources have accused Netanyahu and his allies of attempting to sabotage the chances of reaching a new agreement and subsequent truce with Hamas.
According to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu is expected to hold consultations with his negotiation team before the cabinet meeting. In addition, he is scheduled to have a phone call with long-term ally US President Joe Biden later today, according to Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN.
Establishing a ceasefire in Gaza holds crucial importance, as Israel’s bloody war on the besieged enclave reaches its ninth month, resulting in a catastrophic crisis and significant loss of civilian lives. A ceasefire would halt the immediate violence, enable humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need, and potentially create a pathway for long-term peace negotiations and stability in the region.
The last major, yet brief, ceasefire occurred in November 2023, with Hamas releasing over 100 captives during a six-week pause in hostilities. However, this truce eventually broke down, with Israeli violence in Gaza further escalating.
To date, Israel Occupation Forces have brutally killed 38,000, although the official death toll is bound to be higher as more bodies continue to be identified in the rubble.
