Chances of a de-escalation between Trump's efforts and Netanyahu's position

"How are the children? No one is okay anymore, and the situation is dramatically different. No one can survive, and things are getting more complicated." With these words, a friend began his morning, in a conversation that reflects the depth of the pain and suffering experienced by the people of the Gaza Strip. The tragic reality is weighing heavily on every aspect of life, and hunger is consuming bodies exhausted by the siege and destruction. One of our neighbors has even resorted to grinding lentils and baking them to feed her children after the flour ran out, as people have nothing left but bread as a staple meal amid the widespread famine.

As the genocidal war enters its nineteenth month, scenes of destruction, killing, and displacement continue to characterize daily life for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Israeli airstrikes are relentless, artillery fire is unabated, and the killing continues at a slow but systematic pace, under the banner of Operation "Gideon's Wagons," claiming the lives of approximately fifty martyrs daily.

Last week, Israeli forces committed a massacre against the family of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar, whose nine children were killed in eastern Khan Yunis. Meanwhile, the Israeli destruction machine continues its work in several areas of the Gaza Strip: from Bani Suhaila and Abasan to Deir al-Balah, Zeitoun, Shuja'iyya, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia, where destruction is creeping silently.

Amid this tragedy, talk of ceasefire efforts has returned. After a few days of media quiet, speculation has mounted that a new deal between Israel and Hamas is close to being reached. US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that a "breakthrough is imminent," saying, "We have spoken with Israel and we want to end this situation as quickly as possible," referring to efforts to halt the war.

Although Netanyahu later backed away from his optimism, some Israeli analysts see his ambiguous stance as an indication of a real opportunity for positive change, especially with recent mounting American pressure.

According to leaks, discussions are currently underway on a two-stage agreement, through which the US administration seeks to halt the war by releasing half of the kidnapped Israelis in exchange for a gradual ceasefire. Hamas has demanded genuine US guarantees, through US envoy Steve Witkoff, to ensure the agreement's implementation.

Additionally, Israeli reports indicate that Trump pressured Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza after more than 80 days of a stifling blockade, opening the door to the possibility of advancing a prisoner swap deal.

According to American sources, the plan includes the return of 10 living prisoners within 60 to 70 days of the ceasefire, along with the return of some Israeli soldiers' bodies. This will be accompanied by American pledges to Hamas and a symbolic handshake between Witkoff and Khalil al-Hayya in Doha.

But despite the optimistic statements, wide gaps remain between the parties. Conflicting reports emerged throughout yesterday from Washington, Tel Aviv, and Doha, as Netanyahu, as usual, attempted to maneuver between pressure from Trump and the conditions and demands of his far-right government coalition, which vehemently opposes any truce or concession to Hamas.

Given this complexity, it appears that Trump has not yet succeeded in exerting sufficient pressure on Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister, who is trying to buy time until the end of the Knesset's summer session, is using all his might and maneuvering to postpone any agreement. New elections may not be held before 2026, giving him ample room to continue this bloody political game.

While the analyses and speculations continue, the people of the Gaza Strip remain faced with a daily life-and-death equation, suspended between promises of calm and the continuation of genocide, with no real prospect of an imminent end to their death and suffering.