Israel approves U.S. proposal for a temporary Gaza ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover

Israel Agrees to Temporary Gaza Ceasefire During Ramadan and Passover in U.S.-Brokered Deal

In a move that could bring temporary relief to war-weary civilians, Israel has accepted a U.S.-mediated proposal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza, timed to coincide with the overlapping holy months of Ramadan and Passover. The breakthrough follows months of stalled negotiations and comes as humanitarian conditions in Gaza reach catastrophic levels, with widespread hunger and destruction gripping the besieged territory.  

The agreement, announced after late-night talks between Israeli officials and U.S. mediators, marks the most significant diplomatic progress since hostilities erupted last October. While falling short of a permanent peace deal, the temporary truce could allow critical humanitarian aid to reach desperate populations and create space for more substantive negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the development "a necessary humanitarian pause" but cautioned that "much work remains to achieve lasting peace."  

For Gaza's 2.3 million residents, the ceasefire offers their first sustained respite from near-constant airstrikes and ground operations that have reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble. United Nations officials report that the pause will enable expanded food and medical deliveries, particularly to northern Gaza where starvation has become a grim reality. "This ceasefire means my children might finally eat a proper meal," said Ahmed Abdel-Rahman, a father of four sheltering in a Deir al-Balah school-turned-refugee camp. "But we've been betrayed by temporary solutions before—we need guarantees this won't just be another brief calm before more bombing."  

In Israel, the government's decision has exposed political fractures. Families of hostages held by Hamas cautiously welcomed the prospect of a prisoner exchange deal that could see their loved ones freed, while hardline ministers threatened to topple the coalition if military operations are curtailed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from both international allies demanding restraint and domestic critics accusing him of capitulation. "We will enter Rafah—the operation will happen," Netanyahu insisted in a televised address, referring to Gaza's southernmost city where over a million displaced Palestinians currently shelter.  

The ceasefire terms include phased releases of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, though details remain contentious. Hamas officials have signaled willingness to participate but demand complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—a nonstarter for Israel's security establishment. Regional mediators from Egypt and Qatar are racing to finalize implementation details before the truce begins next week.  

Global reactions have ranged from cautious optimism to skepticism. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the agreement "a desperately needed humanitarian reprieve," while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to "convert this pause into permanent peace." Analysts warn that without binding commitments for post-ceasefire negotiations, the arrangement risks collapsing like previous temporary truces.  

As religious observances begin in both communities—with Ramadan's fasting days and Passover's celebrations of liberation—the ceasefire presents a rare moment of shared respite. Whether it becomes a turning point toward peace or merely an interlude in violence may depend on what happens in the coming weeks. For now, exhausted families on both sides of the conflict are clinging to fragile hope that this time, diplomacy might prevail.