Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, left on podium, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, center on podium, attend a press conference during their visit to Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
Hamas has agreed to a new Arab-mediated ceasefire proposal in Gaza. The announcement comes as Gaza’s Health Ministry confirmed the death toll from the 22-month-long war has crossed 62,000.
Israel, however, insists its stance has not changed.
Trump Rejects Talks, Calls for Hamas Defeat
Former U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the negotiations led by Washington. He said hostages will only return when Hamas is destroyed. Trump’s remarks added fresh uncertainty to already fragile talks.
Israel had earlier announced plans to reoccupy Gaza City and other populated zones. This raised fears of worsening famine and humanitarian collapse in the region.
International Outrage Over Expanding Offensive
Israel’s plan to widen its military campaign has drawn global criticism. Many Israelis are also furious, fearing that further escalation endangers the remaining hostages.
Mass protests erupted in Israel over the weekend. Hundreds of thousands marched to demand the immediate release of hostages captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.
Egypt Pushes for Renewed Talks
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed fresh efforts to revive a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire plan. The proposal includes phased hostage releases and talks on a permanent truce.
Abdelatty revealed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been invited to join the discussions. He visited Egypt’s Rafah crossing with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya are also part of the Cairo talks. Abdelatty hinted that mediators are open to a broader deal, including the release of all hostages in one go.
Hamas Confirms Acceptance of Proposal
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said the group had accepted the mediator’s proposal. Details remain undisclosed.
An Egyptian official told reporters the plan includes changes to Israel’s military pullback and stronger guarantees for ceasefire talks.
Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service, confirmed that the Hamas-approved proposal has been forwarded to Israel.
Israel has not joined the latest round. Officials insist their conditions remain the same: release of all hostages, Hamas disarmament, and long-term security control in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas’ acceptance showed the group was “under massive pressure.”
Human Cost of the War Mounts
The conflict began when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and abducted 251 others in October 2023. Israel believes around 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 62,004 deaths and 156,230 wounded since the war began. Nearly half of the dead are women and children.
The ministry also reported that 1,965 Palestinians have died while seeking humanitarian aid. Many were killed during aid distribution chaos or clashes near U.N. convoys.
Starvation Adds to Gaza’s Crisis
The war has pushed Gaza to the brink of famine. The health ministry confirmed five more malnutrition-related deaths on Monday, including two children.
Since the war began, at least 112 children and 151 adults have died due to starvation.
Amnesty International accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war. Israel rejected the charge, claiming it allows sufficient food into Gaza. It blamed the U.N. for delays in distribution.
The U.N. World Food Program reported that Gaza’s community kitchens produced only 380,000 daily meals last week. That is less than half the output recorded in April.
Outlook Remains Uncertain
Despite Hamas’ acceptance of the Arab ceasefire proposal, Israel’s firm position makes progress uncertain.
With over 62,000 Palestinians dead, famine worsening, and hostages still in captivity, the pressure for a breakthrough has never been greater.
