Hamas announced it is studying what U.S. President Donald Trump described as a “final” ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, while Israel declared its seriousness in pursuing a deal.

The tentative plan, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, envisions a 60-day truce, exchange of hostages, and an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave. However, sharp rhetoric from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and conflicting interests within Israel's ruling coalition cast uncertainty over prospects for a lasting resolution.

Hope and Resistance

Trump claimed Israel had agreed to key conditions for the ceasefire after what he called a "long and productive" meeting with Israeli officials. “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60-day CEASEFIRE,” he said, while stressing that broader peace efforts would follow during the truce period.

In response, Hamas said it received offers from Egypt and Qatar and was reviewing them carefully. The group reiterated its demand for a complete Israeli pullout from Gaza and a permanent end to the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, remained defiant. “There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a Hamastan. We're not going back to that. It's over,” he declared.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reinforced this stance during a press conference in Tallinn, Estonia. “We are serious in our will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We said yes to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposals,” he said, but also insisted, “pressure must be applied on Hamas.”

Public Reactions and Regional Pressure

Inside Gaza, weary residents voiced cautious hope. “I hope it would work this time… even if for two months, it would save thousands of innocent lives,” said Kamal, a Gaza City resident. Yet many, like Samir Al-Masri of Khan Younis, feared the deal would lead to yet another temporary pause before fighting resumed: “We want a complete end to the war on Gaza.”

Recent Israeli airstrikes, including one that killed the director of the Indonesian Hospital and his family, have deepened the sense of urgency. According to Gaza health authorities, at least 139 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours. Israel claimed it had targeted a “key terrorist,” while acknowledging civilian casualties.

The war, sparked by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023—which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages—has since resulted in over 57,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced most of the enclave's 2.3 million residents.

Political Dynamics and Ceasefire Mechanics

A key part of the proposed deal involves Hamas releasing about 25 hostages—half of those still held—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of Palestinians killed in Israeli operations. The remaining hostages would be freed only under a deal that guarantees an end to the war.

Despite internal divisions, Israel’s government may have enough support to approve the deal. Foreign Minister Saar indicated most cabinet members back it, while opposition leader Yair Lapid pledged his party’s support to prevent the coalition from collapsing if hardliners resist.

A source close to Hamas said their leadership would seek clarifications before responding officially to the proposal.