For the first time in months, there’s a sign of hope in the bloody Israel–Hamas war. On Monday, Hamas said YES to a 60-day ceasefire deal. The agreement includes:
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Hamas will free half of the hostages they are holding in Gaza.
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Israel will release some Palestinian prisoners from their jails.
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Israel will pause military attacks for 60 days.
An Egyptian official confirmed this, while Hamas leader Basem Naim even posted on Facebook that they already gave their approval to the mediators.
Israel has not officially responded yet. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Hamas looks like it’s under heavy pressure.
🕊️ The Deal’s Bigger Goal
The 60-day pause is meant to open the door for a full peace agreement that could end the nearly two-year war. The deal is almost the same as a plan suggested earlier by the United States, which Israel had already agreed to.
Talks happened in Cairo, with help from Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s President el-Sisi.
🔥 Protests and Pressure in Israel
While politicians argue, ordinary Israelis are growing restless. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people protested in Israel, demanding that the government end the war and bring home the 50 remaining hostages.
Israel believes only about 20 of those hostages are still alive. Families fear that if Israel pushes ahead with a ground invasion of Gaza City, hostages might be killed.
One father, Dani Miran, whose son was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, said:
👉 “I’m scared my son would be hurt if the army attacks Gaza City.”
🚨 Gaza on the Brink
In Gaza, things are also very desperate. Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing their homes in fear of an Israeli invasion. Many are moving to the south, even though food is scarce, jobs are gone, and families have already been displaced many times.
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Ahmed Mheisen, who runs a shelter in Beit Lahiya, said 995 families have already fled.
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Mousa Obaid, a father from Gaza City, said:
👉 “There is no life left. Prices are high, we have no work for over a year and a half. I just want peace of mind.”
Israeli tanks were even spotted moving into Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood Monday night, showing the military isn’t backing down yet.
🛑 Why Peace Talks Keep Failing
The last round of talks collapsed in July. Here’s why:
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Israel wants Hamas to give up all weapons and release all hostages.
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Hamas refuses to lay down arms or expel its leaders, saying they’ll only consider that if there’s a Palestinian state.
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Both sides fight over how much Israel should withdraw from Gaza and how aid should be delivered.
Meanwhile, hunger in Gaza is spreading fast. The local health ministry reported that in just the past 24 hours, five more Palestinians died of starvation. Since the war began, 263 people—including 112 children—have died from hunger.
⚖️ The Cost of War
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The war started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
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Since then, Israel’s massive airstrikes and ground offensives have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health officials.
👉 Right now, the world is watching. Will this 60-day ceasefire finally bring a path to peace—or collapse into more bloodshed? The lives of hostages and millions of civilians hang in the balance.
