Israel has agreed to the terms of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, but with a firm condition: the complete disarmament of Hamas. A senior official announced that while Israel is ready to end the war, it will only do so as part of a comprehensive agreement that includes the release of all hostages and the neutralization of the military threat from Gaza.
This acceptance represents a calculated risk by the Israeli government, balancing the urgent need to bring hostages home with the strategic imperative to dismantle Hamas’s fighting capabilities. The deal offers a path to end the devastating conflict but hinges on the militant group’s willingness to surrender its arsenal and power.
The proposal outlines a structured end to the war, likely in phases, beginning with a temporary truce and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli officials have been clear that the final stage, a permanent peace, can only be achieved once Hamas is no longer a military entity. This “endgame” scenario is the crux of the agreement.
With Israel’s conditional “yes,” the diplomatic pressure on Hamas has intensified. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are expected to redouble their efforts to secure an agreement from the group’s leadership. The Israeli announcement has defined the parameters for peace, making Hamas’s response the next critical chapter in this conflict.