Washington: A new diplomatic effort aimed at ending the war in Gaza has raised cautious hopes for peace, even as Israeli military strikes continued across the territory and more civilians lost their lives. United States President Donald Trump announced that Hamas had agreed in principle to a phased disarmament plan, describing it as a major step towards ending the conflict. However, both Israeli and Hamas officials have indicated that significant differences remain before any agreement can take effect.
The proposed framework was negotiated through months of mediation involving Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. According to US officials, the plan outlines a gradual process in which Hamas would surrender its heavy weapons, dismantle its tunnel network and transfer governing responsibilities in Gaza to a temporary Palestinian technocratic administration. The proposal also includes the deployment of an international stabilization force and a large scale reconstruction programme supported by the international community.
President Trump described the agreement as a historic opportunity to bring an end to one of the region's most destructive conflicts. The White House expressed confidence that the negotiations had reached a breakthrough after months of intensive diplomatic efforts. American officials said the proposal represents the most detailed roadmap yet for achieving a lasting ceasefire while addressing the security concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Despite the optimistic tone from Washington, Israel has not formally accepted the proposal. Israeli leaders have continued to insist that Hamas must completely give up its military capabilities before any permanent ceasefire can be considered. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that Gaza must be fully demilitarised and that the country's security cannot be compromised. They also remain cautious about whether Hamas would fully honour any agreement to surrender its weapons.
Hamas, meanwhile, has also taken a more measured position than the one presented by US officials. While representatives of the group have indicated a willingness to discuss disarmament, they have stressed that such a process can only begin after Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire is guaranteed. Hamas has also called for unrestricted humanitarian aid, international guarantees for reconstruction and clear arrangements for the future governance of Gaza before any weapons are surrendered.
Even as negotiators continued their discussions, fighting on the ground showed no sign of stopping. Israeli air strikes hit several areas across Gaza on Thursday, with local health authorities reporting that at least three Palestinians were killed, including two children. Several others were injured in the attacks, adding to the heavy civilian toll that has marked the conflict since it began.
The continuing violence has highlighted the fragile nature of the diplomatic process. Humanitarian organisations have warned that ongoing military operations continue to place civilians at grave risk and have renewed calls for an immediate halt to hostilities. Aid agencies also say that access to food, medicine and other essential supplies remains severely limited in many parts of Gaza.
According to officials involved in the negotiations, the proposed agreement would not be implemented immediately. Instead, it would unfold over several months through a series of carefully monitored stages. International observers would verify the surrender of heavy weapons, oversee the destruction of military infrastructure and monitor the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from designated areas. The entire process could take between 200 and 350 days, depending on progress at each stage.
One of the most challenging questions remains who will govern Gaza after the conflict ends. The proposal suggests that a temporary Palestinian technocratic administration would oversee civilian affairs until longer term political arrangements can be established. International peacekeeping personnel may also be deployed to help maintain security during the transition period.
Several important issues remain unresolved. Negotiators are still working to determine how the disarmament process would be verified, which countries would contribute personnel to an international stabilization force, how reconstruction funds would be managed and what guarantees would ensure both sides comply with the agreement. These unresolved issues mean that while the announcement represents a significant diplomatic development, a final peace agreement is still some distance away.
The latest proposal has nevertheless been welcomed by many international observers as an important opportunity to reduce violence and create conditions for lasting peace. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey continue to work with both sides in an effort to bridge remaining differences and secure formal approval for the framework.
For now, however, the people of Gaza continue to endure the daily realities of war. As negotiations move forward behind closed doors, families across the territory remain caught between renewed hopes for peace and the continuing danger of ongoing military operations. The coming days are expected to determine whether the latest diplomatic breakthrough can be transformed into a durable ceasefire that finally brings relief to civilians who have suffered through months of devastating conflict.