Hamas Expected to Accept 60-Day Hostage Ceasefire Deal

A 60-day ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar, based on the Witkoff framework, calls for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies, with Hamas expected to respond positively soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the deal and is reportedly eager to reach an agreement that ends fighting in Gaza, secures the release of all hostages, and possibly leads to broader regional agreements. President Donald Trump has been actively pressuring both Israel and Hamas to finalize the ceasefire and hostage deal, emphasizing the unique political opportunity for peace. The deal includes phased releases of hostages and deceased, with Israel agreeing to release Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange. Despite the optimism, challenges remain, as talks on key issues and prisoner numbers are expected to be difficult, and Hamas is reportedly isolated and under significant pressure. Meanwhile, protests in Israel continue demanding the release of remaining hostages, highlighting the human cost of the conflict, with stories such as that of Lair and Itan illustrating the ongoing hostage crisis.