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The Trump administration is finalizing a peace proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war, with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressing optimism about reaching both a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution. The proposed deal would involve releasing 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of deceased hostages in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas currently holds 58 hostages in Gaza and has reportedly agreed to the general framework, awaiting final terms.
A permanent ceasefire would require complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, restoration of humanitarian aid, and governance by independent Palestinian technocrats rather than Hamas.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to “complete victory” against Hamas, telling the Knesset that Israel will defeat Hamas, dismantle its leadership, and demilitarize Gaza. Netanyahu announced that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar was killed in a May 13 airstrike, following the earlier elimination of his brother Yahya Sinwar, the October 7 attack mastermind.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with U.N. officials reporting that nearly 50 Palestinians were shot and injured while collecting aid at a U.S. and Israel-backed distribution center in Rafah. The U.N. human rights office has documented 26 incidents where Israeli forces fired shots during aid collection, causing casualties. Israeli forces claim they fired warning shots as crowds pushed through lines, maintaining that troop safety wasn’t compromised.
Simultaneously, Mr. Trump is managing tensions with Iran over its nuclear program. Mr. Netanyahu reportedly considered military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, but Mr. Trump advised restraint while negotiations continue. The president believes a deal eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat could be reached within weeks, stating that Iran appears willing to negotiate. Five rounds of U.S.-Iran talks have occurred, mediated by Oman.
However, diplomatic challenges persist with European allies. Iran has threatened to abandon nuclear negotiations after British Ambassador Peter Mandelson declared Britain’s full alignment with Mr. Trump’s position that Iran’s enrichment program should be dismantled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that discussions would be pointless if Britain insists on “zero enrichment,” arguing that Iran has rights to civilian uranium enrichment under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which Mr. Trump previously withdrew from in 2018.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s director-general noted that “the jury is still out” on U.S.-Iran negotiations but considers ongoing talks positive. Iran continues separate discussions with Britain, Germany, and France about potential nuclear program limits in exchange for sanctions relief, though fundamental disagreements over enrichment rights remain unresolved.
Read more: White House optimistic about Israel-Gaza deal as Netanyahu confirms death of Hamas chief
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