As the conflict in Gaza stretches into its 22nd month, Hamas has begun internal consultations with other Palestinian factions regarding a new ceasefire proposal. The group announced that it is engaging in in-depth discussions with various Palestinian political forces and plans to issue a final decision once the consultations are complete.
The ceasefire proposal under discussion comes amid intensified pressure to bring an end to the prolonged war. According to insiders, Hamas is focused on securing solid guarantees that the deal will lead to a permanent halt to hostilities and prevent Israel from unilaterally resuming attacks at any point.
The ceasefire framework, reportedly backed by the United States, is still being refined. Discussions continue behind closed doors between mediators and both parties. The current proposal is believed to involve a 60-day truce, with mechanisms in place to use the window to negotiate a more enduring resolution to the war.
The issue of trust and enforcement remains central. Hamas is reportedly unwilling to commit to any agreement unless there are firm safeguards in place to ensure it is not violated. This stems from past experiences where temporary ceasefires collapsed under renewed Israeli assaults. A recent example is the previous two-month truce, which ended abruptly in March when Israeli airstrikes killed more than 400 Palestinians, marking the start of what international observers have referred to as the most brutal stage of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Hunger and displacement are rampant. Massive destruction has rendered much of the territory uninhabitable. Over 85 percent of Gaza is now under Israeli military control. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee multiple times, while essential infrastructure like hospitals and schools lies in ruins.
The human cost of the conflict remains staggering. Since the war erupted in October 2023, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 130,000 injured. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, and basic necessities remain out of reach for a majority of the population. The crisis has sparked international outrage and growing calls for an immediate end to the violence.
The current negotiations come at a pivotal moment. On one hand, there is growing international momentum for a ceasefire; on the other, a deep sense of skepticism persists among Palestinians who have seen similar promises fall apart in the past. Still, efforts to secure a truce continue, with an expectation that Hamas will make its position clear soon.
Whether these discussions lead to a breakthrough remains uncertain. What is clear is that for any ceasefire to hold, it must be built on mutual commitment, credible enforcement mechanisms, and a genuine pathway to long-term peace—not just a pause in a devastating cycle of destruction.
