Hamas, Israel Remain Deadlocked on Gaza Ceasefire

Hamas has expressed willingness to resume indirect negotiations for a Gaza truce and to exchange 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 others for Palestinian prisoners, but only if key amendments are made to the US-backed ceasefire plan, which Israel has already accepted. The amendments demanded by Hamas include a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and sustained humanitarian aid—conditions absent from the current proposal, which offers a 60-day truce and a major prisoner exchange. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli officials have rejected Hamas's response as a stalling tactic and 'totally unacceptable,' asserting that talks can only continue if Hamas accepts the existing plan. International pressure is growing to end the conflict amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The negotiations remain deadlocked as both sides hold firm to their demands. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, prompting urgent calls for a resolution.