Mediators present updated proposal for Gaza ceasefire agreement

US and Israeli media reported on Thursday that mediators presented Israel and Hamas with an updated proposal for a potential prisoner exchange and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while Qatari-US talks on the negotiations were held.

The American news website Axios quoted two sources as saying that Qatar, Egypt, and the United States presented the updated proposal to the two parties yesterday.

For its part, Israel's Channel 12 quoted sources as saying that Qatari mediators yesterday presented Israel and Hamas with an updated proposal that includes all the progress made over the past ten days. Egypt and the United States also signed the proposal.

According to the sources, the two main updates in the proposal relate to the extent of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza during the ceasefire, and the ratio between the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the number of Israeli prisoners, as part of a potential deal.

Channel 12 also quoted Israeli officials as saying that Israel had made significant concessions regarding the territory the army would remain in during the ceasefire.

Earlier today, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted officials as saying that Israel had presented mediators with updated maps showing a broad withdrawal of its forces from the Morag axis between Rafah and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, citing these officials, said that the dynamics in the Doha talks are positive, and that there is still a need to narrow the gaps between the parties.

In this context, an Israeli army spokesman said today that the army is prepared to exercise greater flexibility and deploy along new borders in the Gaza Strip for the sake of negotiations.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that a meeting of the security cabinet had begun to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing talks in Doha aimed at concluding an agreement including a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire.

Israel's Channel 13 reported the night before yesterday that significant progress had been made in the Doha talks, saying that "the path to a deal is now paved."

Since July 6, indirect negotiations have been underway in Qatar between Hamas and Israel in a renewed attempt to reach a prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.

Over the past few days, media reports have indicated that Israel has presented maps that maintain its occupation of approximately 40% of the Gaza Strip, including the Morag axis extending between Rafah and Khan Yunis, a position rejected by Hamas.

Al-Aqsa TV quoted Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha last night as saying that the movement would not accept the separation of any area from the Gaza Strip and would reject the continued presence of the occupation army there.

Opposition to withdrawal

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said today that the army's withdrawal from the Morag axis was a grave mistake, and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse it.

Ben-Gvir also called on Netanyahu to halt negotiations and issue the necessary instructions to occupy all of Gaza and encourage immigration and settlement.

Earlier today, the Israeli minister said he would make a decision at the appropriate time regarding his withdrawal from the government, noting that he did not want to withdraw from the government and wanted to continue as a minister.

Netanyahu has repeatedly indicated the possibility of reaching a 60-day ceasefire agreement, but has repeatedly stated that any agreement must allow Israel to resume fighting.

The current negotiations are based on an American proposal stipulating the release of half of the living Israeli prisoners (10 out of 20 prisoners), with the truce paving the way for talks leading to a ceasefire.

Hamas is demanding guarantees to halt the Israeli war, which has been ongoing since October 2023, and stresses that any agreement must include a complete cessation of hostilities and unconditional access for aid and reconstruction.

For their part, the families of the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza called for an end to attempts to obstruct efforts to end the war and recover all of these prisoners.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that representatives of prisoners' families and activists blocked Ayalon Street in Tel Aviv this morning, raising banners reading "Netanyahu is obstructing the will of the people. Bring everyone back" and "Get out of Gaza."

She added that families and activists chanted slogans accusing Netanyahu of obstructing a prisoner exchange deal against the will of the community and dragging Israel into an eternal war.

Combo of Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US President Donald Trump

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman (right) and US President Trump (agencies)

White House talks

As negotiations continue in Doha, an Al Jazeera correspondent reported that Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with US President Donald Trump last night at the White House and discussed the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

Last Tuesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said that negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip were still in the early stages, stressing that negotiating teams remained in Doha.

Al-Ansari added that Qatar is continuing its efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza as soon as possible.

A week ago, Axios reported that a Qatari delegation met with senior White House officials for several hours before the Israeli prime minister's meeting with the US president.

Trump has repeatedly spoken recently about the possibility of reaching an agreement on Gaza soon.