Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks Resume Amid Trump Push for Deal

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Doha on Tuesday, with negotiators aiming to finalize a ceasefire agreement to halt the nearly two-year-long conflict in Gaza. The discussions come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to secure a breakthrough, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a plan that would halt the violence and secure the release of hostages.

According to Palestinian officials familiar with the negotiations, the latest session marked the fourth meeting in this round of talks. The discussions remain centered on implementing key elements of the ceasefire proposal, specifically those dealing with Israeli troop withdrawal and humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Despite the ongoing dialogue, officials reported no major progress had been made as of Tuesday morning.

The current round of negotiations began on Sunday, with Israeli and Hamas representatives holding separate sessions in the same building. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to participate in the talks later this week, adding further weight to Washington’s mediation efforts.

Washington Presses for a Deal Amid Mounting Death Toll

While in Washington for his third visit since Trump’s return to the White House, Netanyahu met with the U.S. president on Monday. Trump expressed optimism that a deal could be finalized soon, telling reporters that negotiations were moving forward and that Hamas appeared ready to engage constructively.

“They want the ceasefire. They want this to end,” Trump said, reiterating his belief that a resolution was possible in the coming days. He also emphasized that securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages was currently his top priority in the region.

The U.S.-backed proposal reportedly includes a 60-day pause in fighting, during which Hamas would release 10 hostages alive and hand over several bodies. In return, Israel would free a number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has also called for firm guarantees that hostilities would not resume during negotiations, Israeli withdrawal from certain areas, and the reestablishment of a UN-led humanitarian aid system.

Palestinian sources stated that of the 251 hostages captured during Hamas’s October 2023 incursion, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 individuals confirmed dead by Israeli military assessments. That attack killed 1,219 people, the majority of them civilians. Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 57,500 deaths, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave—figures considered credible by the United Nations.

Heavy Fighting Continues as Negotiations Progress

Despite diplomatic efforts, violence on the ground has persisted. The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that five soldiers were killed in combat operations in northern Gaza, making it one of the deadliest single days for Israeli troops this year. The fatalities occurred in the Beit Hanun area, reportedly due to a series of improvised explosive device (IED) detonations.

Netanyahu acknowledged the losses during his visit to Washington, stating: “It is a difficult morning for Israel. We mourn the deaths of our brave soldiers who gave their lives to defeat Hamas and bring our hostages home.”

According to military sources and local journalists, 445 Israeli soldiers have died since the war began. Meanwhile, civilian suffering in Gaza has reached crisis levels. On Monday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli forces killed at least 12 individuals, including six people sheltering inside a clinic. However, due to widespread media restrictions and the challenges of accessing certain areas, independent verification of the figures remains difficult.

Sticking Points Remain Despite International Pressure

One of the major obstacles to a permanent peace continues to be the status of Gaza and the political future of the Palestinian territories. Netanyahu, speaking bluntly during his trip, reaffirmed that Israel would not allow a fully sovereign Palestinian state to emerge in Gaza, insisting instead on maintaining long-term security control.

“People may say it won’t be a real state—but we don’t care,” the Israeli leader said, dismissing international concerns about Palestinian autonomy.

While the U.S. continues to support Israel diplomatically and militarily, the Biden administration—now returned to power under Trump—has increasingly stressed the need to end what Trump described as the “hell” in Gaza. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Washington expects Hamas to immediately accept the latest proposal, noting that Israel has already endorsed the ceasefire and prisoner exchange plan.