Gaza War: New Ceasefire Proposals Emerge Amid Israeli Plan to Take Gaza City

CBB News – Jerusalem

Efforts to halt the ongoing war in Gaza have taken a fresh turn as Egyptian and Qatari mediators introduce new proposals aimed at reviving stalled ceasefire negotiations. 

A senior Palestinian official, speaking to CBB News, confirmed the move comes at a critical time, as Israel faces growing condemnation over its proposed expansion of military operations into Gaza City.

The United Nations Security Council is due to convene later today to assess the worsening crisis.. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reports that at least 38 people have been killed in the last 24 hours, with many reportedly shot while waiting to collect humanitarian aid. Israel has yet to issue an official response to these claims.

Protests Intensify Inside Israel

Images from Tel Aviv show thousands of Israelis marching toward military headquarters, demanding the immediate return of hostages still held in Gaza. Smaller protests have also taken place in Jerusalem.

John Donison, reporting from Jerusalem for CBB News, explained that the Israeli government’s plan to take Gaza City and potentially occupy the entire strip may not be implemented for another two months. This delay, he noted, could create a window for diplomacy, especially if Hamas feels pressured to make concessions.

However, a key sticking point remains: Hamas has stated it will release all hostages only if Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and ends the war—terms the Israeli government has so far refused. Instead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition insists that Hamas must be dismantled completely.

A Nation Divided

Public opinion in Israel is split. Many citizens, members of the opposition, and even parts of the military leadership are skeptical of the plan to take Gaza City. Critics argue that a prolonged occupation would deepen Israel’s security challenges and risk more hostage deaths.

The Israeli Chief of Staff has expressed reservations about the plan, but has agreed to support it for the time being. Netanyahu’s political survival may depend on convincing his right-wing coalition partners—some of whom have threatened to leave the government if the war ends—that military action must continue.

Voices of the Hostage Families

Among the most outspoken critics of the government’s current approach are the families of hostages. Chiron Lives, whose parents were taken hostage on October 7, spoke with CBB News. Her mother was released in the early stages of negotiations, but her father was killed, with his body returned earlier this year.

“For us, every day is a nightmare,” she said. “We do not want this war. Only a comprehensive deal that ends it completely will bring our loved ones home.”

Lives warned that military advances into Gaza City could directly endanger hostages, citing past incidents where captors executed detainees when Israeli forces approached.

Distrust Between Families and Government

According to Lives, the government is putting political stability above the safe repatriation of captives.. She argues that the majority of Israelis—along with hostage families—favor ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza to secure the captives’ release.

She also proposed strengthening ties with moderate Palestinian factions and working alongside other Arab nations to create a new governing structure for Gaza, one that excludes Hamas entirely.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization. They sacrifice their own people as well as ours,” she said. “But replacing them requires a bold, comprehensive deal and support for moderates.”

Trauma and Survival

Lives described her mother’s ongoing trauma from captivity, particularly her time in underground tunnels. While her mother has moments of joy, the memories resurface whenever talk of renewed conflict arises.

“She lived through horrors we can’t truly imagine,” Lives said, adding that hostages often endure extreme deprivation and isolation. “Some experienced small acts of kindness from captors, but for many, there was none. Kindness is the essential basis for constructing a better future.”.”

Standing Together

The hostage families remain in close contact, offering mutual support through shared grief and determination. Lives said her mother has become a maternal figure to many in the community, advocating tirelessly for the release of those still held.

“We don’t give up on our loved ones,” she emphasized. “"They are our kids, brothers, and relatives.. We wake up and think of them; we go to bed thinking of them.”

Public Opinion and Political Deadlock

While Israel is deeply divided, Lives believes most citizens oppose fully conquering Gaza. Yet, a small but influential group within the government continues to push for aggressive military action.

She warned that the war risks becoming a political tool rather than a means of achieving peace or securing the hostages’ release. “It’s a tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians,” she concluded, “that we are ruled by leaders more concerned with holding power than protecting people.”

CBB News will continue to follow developments in the ceasefire talks, the situation in Gaza City, and the fate of hostages still in captivity.

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