Hamas Accepts Arab Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza Amidst Rising Death Toll and Diplomatic Push

Hopes for a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip were reignited Monday after Hamas announced its acceptance of a new proposal from Arab mediators. This development emerged as Gaza’s Health Ministry reported a staggering increase in the Palestinian death toll, which has now surpassed 62,000 after 22 months of conflict.

While Hamas confirmed its agreement to the proposal, Israel has indicated that its core positions on the conflict remain unchanged. The diplomatic efforts intensified with Egyptian Foreign Minister Bader Abdelattay confirming that his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, joined crucial talks in Cairo on Monday, August 18, 2025, aimed at reviving negotiations.

The path to peace remains complex. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed skepticism about the ongoing mediation efforts, posting on social media that hostages would only return once Hamas is “confronted and destroyed.” Meanwhile, Israel’s announced plans to reoccupy heavily populated areas of Gaza City, following previous ceasefire negotiation breakdowns, continue to fuel international concern over a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, with experts warning of an impending famine.

The war, ignited by the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has seen hundreds of thousands protest for the return of the estimated 50 remaining hostages. Mediators are pushing for a 60-day ceasefire to facilitate hostage releases and negotiate a lasting peace. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, while Hamas insists on a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal for the release of captives.

Beyond the conflict’s direct casualties, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. The Health Ministry reported that 1,965 people have died seeking aid since May, and on Monday, five more individuals, including two children, succumbed to malnutrition-related causes. Amnesty International has accused Israel of a “deliberate campaign of starvation,” an allegation Israel denies, attributing distribution challenges to the UN and the breakdown of law and order within the territory.

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