Hamas, Gaza and Israel
Digest more
Israel and Hamas are believed to have agreed that 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others should be released during the first 60 days of a cease-fire, but they have not reached a consensus on how many Palestinian prisoners should be freed during the same period. Up to 20 hostages are still thought to be alive.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a controversial U.S.-backed aid distribution initiative supported by Israel, is currently the primary method for Palestinians in devastated Gaza to access supplies in designated spots after Israel lifted its aid blockade in mid-May.
Israel’s still pushing for a temporary deal that would include the release of half of the hostages still held in Gaza.
President Donald Trump has ramped up expectations around a possible 60-day ceasefire in the war in Gaza after he said Thursday that a response from Hamas was expected within the next day.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas towards a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip have started in Qatar.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week did not result in a ceasefire deal for the Gaza war, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts