Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations: A Three-Stage Plan Under Strain

Published: October 5, 2025

The Deal on the Table

International mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have brokered a comprehensive three-stage ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The ambitious plan represents months of diplomatic efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

Stage One: The First Six Weeks

The initial phase of the agreement, designed to last six weeks, calls for:

• Hamas to release Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza
• Israel to release Palestinian prisoners from detention
• The safe return of displaced Palestinians to their homes
• A significant increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza

What Comes Next

Following the initial exchange period, subsequent stages would address the more complex issues:

• Negotiations toward a permanent end to hostilities
• A phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza

Accusations Flying From Both Sides

Despite progress on paper, implementation has been plagued by mutual accusations of non-compliance:

Against Israel: Palestinian authorities and international observers accuse Israeli forces of blocking humanitarian aid deliveries and conducting military strikes in violation of ceasefire terms.

Against Hamas: Israeli officials claim Hamas has deliberately delayed providing complete lists of hostages, undermining the exchange process.

Mixed Results on the Ground

The ceasefire has shown signs of both progress and setbacks:

Positive developments: Hostage exchanges have resumed, and oversight of humanitarian corridors has been reestablished, allowing some aid to flow into Gaza.

Continuing problems: Prisoner releases have faced repeated delays, with tensions escalating as recently as February 2025—just eight months ago—raising questions about the sustainability of the agreement.

What’s at Stake

The success or failure of this ceasefire carries enormous humanitarian consequences. Thousands of Palestinian civilians remain displaced, aid organizations warn of deteriorating conditions in Gaza, and families on both sides await news of their loved ones held captive or imprisoned.

As international mediators continue their work, the fragility of the current arrangement underscores the challenges of achieving lasting peace in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

This remains a developing story. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.