Growing hopes for a Gaza ceasefire announcement emerge as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Washington after 21 months of conflict.
Trump previously stated he had been “very firm” with Netanyahu about ending the war, expressing confidence that “we’ll have a deal” this week. Netanyahu responded before his departure, saying, “We are working to achieve the deal that has been discussed, under the conditions we have agreed. I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome.”
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas resumed Sunday evening in Qatar, focusing on a US-sponsored proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release agreement. However, fundamental disagreements that have consistently prevented previous agreements remain unresolved.
Palestinians enduring dire conditions amid continuing bombardment express only cautious optimism. Nabil Abu Dayah, who fled northern Gaza with his family, said: “I don’t wish for a truce but a complete stop to all war. Frankly, I’m afraid that after 60 days, the war would restart again. We got so tired of displacement, we got tired of thirst and hunger, from living in tents.”
Israeli hostage families demonstrated Saturday evening, urging the government to secure a deal for approximately 50 remaining hostages, with up to 20 believed alive. Some questioned why the framework wouldn’t immediately free all captives. Ilay David, whose brother remains captive, told Jerusalem crowds: “This is the time to save lives. This is the time to rescue the bodies from the threat of disappearance.”
This marks Netanyahu’s third White House visit since Trump’s return to power, though their first meeting since the US joined Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites before brokering an Israel-Iran ceasefire. The recent 12-day conflict has created more favorable circumstances for ending the Gaza war.
Netanyahu’s popularity has surged following broad public support for the Iran offensive, potentially providing leverage to accept a peace deal despite far-right coalition partners’ objections. Hamas appears further weakened by strikes on Iran, a key regional patron, making it potentially more amenable to necessary concessions.
Trump seeks to advance other Middle East priorities, including Israel-Syria border talks, renewed Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization efforts, and possible Iran nuclear negotiations.
The fundamental deadlock persists: Israel commits to temporary truces for hostage returns but not war termination, while Hamas demands permanent cessation of hostilities and complete Israeli troop withdrawal.
The latest proposal reportedly includes Washington’s commitment guarantees and continued talks toward lasting ceasefire and full hostage release. Media reports suggest the framework involves Hamas releasing 28 hostages over 60 days – 10 alive, 18 dead – in five stages without ceremonial handovers.
The agreement would surge humanitarian aid into Gaza. After returning the first eight living hostages on day one, Israeli forces would withdraw from northern areas, followed by southern withdrawals after one week. On day 10, Hamas would detail the conditions of surviving hostages while Israel provides information about over 2,000 detained Gazans held without charge.
Large numbers of Palestinians would be released from Israeli jails in exchange for hostages, following previous patterns.
Trump described this as the “final” proposal, stating Israel had accepted “necessary conditions” for finalization. Hamas responded Friday with a “positive spirit” but expressed reservations.
Palestinian officials cite remaining disagreements over humanitarian aid, with Hamas demanding immediate cessation of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation operations and UN oversight restoration. Hamas also questions Israeli withdrawal timelines and Rafah crossing operations.
Netanyahu’s office stated Saturday that Hamas’s requested changes were “not acceptable” to Israel. The prime minister maintains that Hamas must be disarmed, which the group refuses to discuss.
Israeli opposition to the Gaza war grows, with over 20 soldiers killed in the past month. Military Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir indicated the military is near completion of war goals, signaling the government must decide between a hostage deal or preparing for military rule in Gaza.
Polls show two-thirds of Israelis support a ceasefire deal for hostage returns.
Some Gaza residents fear current optimism is manufactured to ease tensions during Netanyahu’s US trip, recalling similar patterns during previous diplomatic visits.
The situation in Gaza continues deteriorating, with medical staff reporting acute child malnutrition. The UN reports that with no fuel entering for over four months, stockpiles are virtually depleted, threatening medical care, water supplies, and telecommunications.
Israel launched the war following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. Israeli attacks have since killed over 57,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are quoted by the UN as the most reliable available casualty statistics.
About the author
Woman Convicted Of Mushroom Murder After Deadly Family Lunch
An Australian woman has been convicted of murdering three family members by serving them a meal containing poisonous mushrooms. Erin Patterson was found guilty Monday on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder following a 10-week trial in Morwell, a regional town approximately 152km east of Melbourne. The 50-year-old displayed no visible reaction as the verdicts were delivered in court. Patterson's estranged in-laws, Donald and Gail Patterson, along with Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, died after consuming beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms during a lunch on July 29, 2023. Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson was also poisoned but survived after a seven-week hospitalization. Patterson had entered not guilty pleas to all charges. Her defense team argued that she had accidentally served the contaminated food to her relatives in what they characterized as a "terrible accident." Prosecutors did not […]
Shocking Coroner Report Exposes Racist Police Officer in Fatal Indigenous Teen Shooting
A landmark coronial inquiry has found that the Australian police officer who fatally shot an Indigenous teenager was racist and attracted to "high adrenaline policing." The 682-page findings were released Monday in Yuendumu, central Australia, revealing that racist behavior was "normalised" at Zachary Rolfe's Alice Springs police station. The conclusions came five years after the shooting of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, which sparked nationwide protests. Rolfe was acquitted of murder charges in a 2022 trial in Darwin. Walker was shot three times during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu. He was among 598 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died in custody since detailed records began in 1991. "I found that Mr Rolfe was racist," declared Northern Territory coroner Elisabeth Armitage after a nearly three-year inquiry. She determined that Rolfe, dismissed from the police force in 2023 for unrelated reasons, […]
Texas Floods Death Toll Hits 82 As Search Continues For Missing Children
The death toll from devastating floods in Texas has reached 82, with search operations ongoing and officials facing scrutiny over evacuation failures in Kerr County. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported Sunday that at least 41 people remain missing statewide, three days after the flooding began. He warned that additional heavy rains expected through Tuesday could produce more life-threatening conditions. In Kerr County, Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that searchers have recovered 68 bodies, including 28 children. Many of the missing went missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Ten girls and one counselor remain unaccounted for, with Leitha pledging to continue searching until "everybody is found." President Donald Trump expressed condolences and indicated he would likely visit the area Friday. "It's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible," he told reporters while leaving New Jersey. The flooding […]
Trump Calls Musk New Political Party Plan A Complete Train Wreck
President Donald Trump has criticized former ally Elon Musk's announcement of launching a new political party, calling it "ridiculous" and intensifying their ongoing dispute. The world's richest man was previously closely aligned with Trump while heading the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but their relationship deteriorated over disagreements regarding the president's major tax and spending legislation. "I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," Trump told reporters Sunday before boarding Air Force One from his New Jersey golf club. "It's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to the confusion. Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." On Saturday, South African-born Musk announced plans to establish the America Party, challenging what he characterized as the "one-party system" in the United States. […]
Trump Netanyahu Meeting Could Finally End Gaza War This Week
Growing hopes for a Gaza ceasefire announcement emerge as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets US President Donald Trump in Washington after 21 months of conflict. Trump previously stated he had been "very firm" with Netanyahu about ending the war, expressing confidence that "we'll have a deal" this week. Netanyahu responded before his departure, saying, "We are working to achieve the deal that has been discussed, under the conditions we have agreed. I believe that the conversation with President Trump can definitely help advance this outcome." Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas resumed Sunday evening in Qatar, focusing on a US-sponsored proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release agreement. However, fundamental disagreements that have consistently prevented previous agreements remain unresolved. Palestinians enduring dire conditions amid continuing bombardment express only cautious optimism. Nabil Abu Dayah, who fled northern Gaza with […]
Trump Threatens 10% Tariffs on Countries Supporting BRICS Policies
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries that align with BRICS alliance policies opposing US interests. Trump has consistently criticized BRICS, an organization including China, Russia, and India, designed to enhance member countries' international standing and challenge US and Western European influence. "Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy," Trump posted on social media. Originally set for July 9, the deadline for countries to negotiate tariff agreements with the US has been extended to August 1, according to US officials. The US has secured trade agreements only with the UK and Vietnam so far. However, Britain and America remain deadlocked over taxes on UK steel imports to the US. Since January, Trump has announced multiple import […]
Related
Woman Convicted Of Mushroom Murder After Deadly Family Lunch
An Australian woman has been convicted of murdering three family members by serving them a meal containing poisonous mushrooms. Erin Patterson was found guilty Monday on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder following a 10-week trial in Morwell, a regional town approximately 152km east of Melbourne. The 50-year-old displayed no visible reaction as the verdicts were delivered in court. Patterson's estranged in-laws, Donald and Gail Patterson, along with Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, died after consuming beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms during a lunch on July 29, 2023. Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson was also poisoned but survived after a seven-week hospitalization. Patterson had entered not guilty pleas to all charges. Her defense team argued that she had accidentally served the contaminated food to her relatives in what they characterized as a "terrible accident." Prosecutors did not […]
Shocking Coroner Report Exposes Racist Police Officer in Fatal Indigenous Teen Shooting
A landmark coronial inquiry has found that the Australian police officer who fatally shot an Indigenous teenager was racist and attracted to "high adrenaline policing." The 682-page findings were released Monday in Yuendumu, central Australia, revealing that racist behavior was "normalised" at Zachary Rolfe's Alice Springs police station. The conclusions came five years after the shooting of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, which sparked nationwide protests. Rolfe was acquitted of murder charges in a 2022 trial in Darwin. Walker was shot three times during an attempted arrest in Yuendumu. He was among 598 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died in custody since detailed records began in 1991. "I found that Mr Rolfe was racist," declared Northern Territory coroner Elisabeth Armitage after a nearly three-year inquiry. She determined that Rolfe, dismissed from the police force in 2023 for unrelated reasons, […]
Texas Floods Death Toll Hits 82 As Search Continues For Missing Children
The death toll from devastating floods in Texas has reached 82, with search operations ongoing and officials facing scrutiny over evacuation failures in Kerr County. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reported Sunday that at least 41 people remain missing statewide, three days after the flooding began. He warned that additional heavy rains expected through Tuesday could produce more life-threatening conditions. In Kerr County, Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that searchers have recovered 68 bodies, including 28 children. Many of the missing went missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Ten girls and one counselor remain unaccounted for, with Leitha pledging to continue searching until "everybody is found." President Donald Trump expressed condolences and indicated he would likely visit the area Friday. "It's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible," he told reporters while leaving New Jersey. The flooding […]
Trump Calls Musk New Political Party Plan A Complete Train Wreck
President Donald Trump has criticized former ally Elon Musk's announcement of launching a new political party, calling it "ridiculous" and intensifying their ongoing dispute. The world's richest man was previously closely aligned with Trump while heading the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but their relationship deteriorated over disagreements regarding the president's major tax and spending legislation. "I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," Trump told reporters Sunday before boarding Air Force One from his New Jersey golf club. "It's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to the confusion. Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." On Saturday, South African-born Musk announced plans to establish the America Party, challenging what he characterized as the "one-party system" in the United States. […]
Trump Threatens 10% Tariffs on Countries Supporting BRICS Policies
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on countries that align with BRICS alliance policies opposing US interests. Trump has consistently criticized BRICS, an organization including China, Russia, and India, designed to enhance member countries' international standing and challenge US and Western European influence. "Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy," Trump posted on social media. Originally set for July 9, the deadline for countries to negotiate tariff agreements with the US has been extended to August 1, according to US officials. The US has secured trade agreements only with the UK and Vietnam so far. However, Britain and America remain deadlocked over taxes on UK steel imports to the US. Since January, Trump has announced multiple import […]
Trump Announces Additional 10% Tariff on Countries Supporting BRICS Policies
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that nations aligning with the BRICS alliance policies opposing US interests will face an additional 10% tariff, with no exceptions to the policy. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform following criticism from BRICS members regarding his tariff policies and their proposals for International Monetary Fund reforms and currency valuation changes. The BRICS alliance, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in recent years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The bloc represents more than half of the world's population and was designed to enhance member nations' international standing and challenge US and Western European influence. BRICS leaders convened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this weekend to discuss reforms to global institutions and position the alliance as a diplomatic platform amid increasing trade […]
Be the first to leave a comment