Where Do Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire Negotiations Stand?

Hamas wants to ensure that the latest cease-fire proposal has sufficient guarantees that negotiations will lead to a permanent end to the Gaza war.

Hamas said on Friday that it would inform Arab mediators of its “final decision” on the latest proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza after it consults with Palestinian factions. Hours later, President Trump told reporters that he expected a response from Hamas within 24 hours.

Israelis and Palestinians have been waiting anxiously as Hamas deliberates on whether to accept the proposal for a 60-day cease-fire and the release of hostages.

A critical question is whether Hamas has determined that it has sufficient guarantees that the revised plan will eventually lead to a permanent end to the nearly two-year-old war, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and reduced much of the territory to rubble.

Hamas has insisted that any cease-fire plan must pave a path to a complete and lasting cessation of hostilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has insisted on a temporary cease-fire until Hamas’s military wing and government are dismantled.

“Hamas’s focus is on ending the war,” said Hussam Dajani, a Palestinian political analyst from Gaza.

Even if Hamas accepts the proposal, both sides would likely still need time to negotiate more details before a cease-fire takes effect.

Here are the main elements of the current proposal, according to an Israeli defense official and a Palestinian close to Hamas who were briefed on its details. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.

Hostage Releases

The proposal calls for the release of 10 living hostages still held in Gaza and the return of 18 hostages’ bodies, in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.

The exchanges would be staggered over five stages during the 60-day truce.

That differs from what was outlined in a U.S. proposal in May that called for the release of all captives within a week of the cease-fire beginning.

Withdrawal of Israeli Forces From Gaza

Israel would have to pull back troops deployed in Gaza under the proposed deal, according to those briefed on the proposal, who did not provide more details.

It was not immediately clear if that pertained to all forces or just some. During a cease-fire earlier this year, the Israeli military withdrew from parts of Gaza but did not leave the territory altogether.

Assurances on Permanently Ending the War

The proposal states that the United States and the Arab mediators, Qatar and Egypt, will ensure that serious negotiations to end the war will take place during the 60-day cease-fire, and that they will continue beyond that time frame if necessary.

The proposal said Mr. Trump was committed to working toward guaranteeing that negotiations take place in “good faith” until a final deal is achieved.

On Wednesday, however, Mr. Netanyahu suggested that the war was not on the verge of ending. “There won’t be Hamas,” he said. “We will free our hostages, and we will defeat Hamas.”

No More Hostage Handover Ceremonies

Under the proposal, Hamas would refrain from holding televised handover ceremonies like those it staged when releasing hostages during a two-month truce that began in January.

The ceremonies, in which Israeli hostages were often made to give speeches thanking their captors, drew international criticism and infuriated Israelis.

Aaron Boxerman, Ronen Bergman and Tyler Pager contributed reporting.

More on the Israel-Hamas War

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• Khan Younis: Seven Israeli soldiers who were part of a team that demolished tunnels were killed by an explosive device in the southern Gaza city, said the Israeli military.
• Benjamin Netanyahu: Boosted by his Iran campaign, the Israeli prime minister’s polling numbers are higher than at almost any point since October 2023, spurring hope in Israel that he could show greater flexibility over the war in Gaza.
• Risk of Starvation: Last year, two families told The New York Times what it was like to keep their malnourished children alive in Gaza. Now, their lives are even harder.
• Finding God in Gaza’s Tunnels: Omer Shem Tov was 20 and not particularly religious when he was taken hostage. Here’s how he survived 505 days in captivity.