Ceasefire in Sight? Hamas Expects Major Breakthrough in Cairo Negotiations
- International Affairs Israel Middle East Palestine
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 5 minutes read
As the war in Gaza grinds on with devastating consequences, fresh efforts are underway to reach a ceasefire and bring an end to months of deadly conflict. On Saturday, senior leaders from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Cairo to meet with Egyptian mediators in what is being described as a potentially decisive moment in ceasefire negotiations. A Hamas official expressed optimism, stating the group expects “real progress” toward a deal that could halt violence, secure the release of hostages, and pave the way for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The latest wave of violence began on March 18, when Israel resumed military strikes on Gaza, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire. That truce, which had been in place since late January, had facilitated the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, eight of whom were already deceased, and approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention. Since the renewed offensive began, the death toll has surged. Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, reported that at least 1,563 Palestinians have died since March 18 alone. This brings the total number of Palestinian deaths since the war erupted in October 2023 to a staggering 50,933. The majority of casualties are said to be civilians, including large numbers of women and children, a claim supported by a recent report from the UN Human Rights Office.
The Cairo Talks: Hope Amid Destruction
The current discussions in Cairo are being led by Hamas’ chief negotiator, meeting with Egyptian officials. Egypt has played a longstanding role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, using its regional influence to broker several ceasefires over the years. A Hamas official, speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity, stated that while the group has not received any new formal ceasefire proposal, they remain engaged in ongoing discussions and are hopeful that the latest meeting could yield a meaningful breakthrough. “We hope the meeting will achieve real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza,” the Hamas official said. Despite reports from Israeli media suggesting that draft ceasefire proposals were already being exchanged between Israel and Egypt, the Hamas official maintained that nothing concrete had been shared with their delegation yet.
According to an Israeli media, the Egyptian proposal reportedly includes the release of eight living hostages and eight bodies, in exchange for a truce lasting between 40 and 70 days. In return, Israel would release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners. This type of deal would mirror the terms of the previous ceasefire, which also involved an exchange of hostages for detainees and a temporary halt to military operations. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated during a cabinet meeting earlier this week that negotiations were progressing. “We’re getting close to getting them [hostages in Gaza] back,” he said. This was echoed by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who was quoted in Israeli media as saying that “a very serious deal is taking shape” and that an agreement might be reached within days. While the U.S. has not released specific details about its role in the Cairo discussions, it is understood that Washington continues to support Egypt’s mediation efforts and remains engaged in diplomatic channels with both Israel and regional partners. Amid ceasefire talks, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The United Nations has warned of forced displacement resulting from expanding Israeli evacuation orders, raising “real concern as to the future viability of Palestinians as a group in Gaza.”
On Saturday, Israeli forces launched another round of air strikes on Gaza City. Local civil defence authorities reported that a house was hit, killing at least four people. Footage shared by AFP showed victims wrapped in white burial shrouds at a hospital as relatives mourned and prepared for burial. Additionally, the Israeli military announced that its air defence system had intercepted three projectiles fired from southern Gaza into Israeli territory. These incidents highlight the fragile and volatile nature of the current environment, even as negotiations proceed. The war in Gaza was triggered by a large-scale attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which 1,218 people—mostly civilians—were killed, according to Israeli figures. In that attack, 251 hostages were taken by Hamas, including women and children. As of April 2025, Israeli authorities say 58 hostages are still held in Gaza, 34 of whom are presumed dead.
Israel responded with a massive military operation aimed at neutralizing Hamas and securing the return of hostages. The ensuing conflict has been one of the deadliest in the region’s history and has prompted a global outcry over the humanitarian cost. A successful ceasefire deal would carry immense significance. For Israel, it could lead to the return of more hostages and reduce international scrutiny over its military operations. For Hamas, a ceasefire could provide relief to the civilian population in Gaza and potentially strengthen its political standing among Palestinians. For Egypt and the United States, brokering a successful agreement would demonstrate diplomatic credibility and help de-escalate a conflict with serious regional implications. However, achieving such an agreement remains challenging. Mutual distrust, differing priorities, and continued hostilities on the ground make negotiations delicate and complex. Israeli leaders have expressed scepticism about long-term truces unless Hamas is dismantled or significantly weakened, while Hamas demands a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the end of blockades.
