Israel has offered to partially withdraw troops from Gaza’s Morag Corridor in renewed ceasefire negotiations, marking what officials call 'substantial progress.' The proposal, shared via Qatari mediators, could reshape the conflict’s deadlock as Hamas agrees to release 10 hostages in return. But with both sides dug in on core demands, experts warn a lasting deal remains elusive. 💬
What’s on the Table?
Israel’s new map outlines a pullback from southern Gaza’s fortified Morag Corridor – a zone created by bulldozing buildings to divide the enclave. While U.S. President Trump claimed 'we’re close to a deal,' Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders called talks 'stalled,' citing disputes over aid access and post-ceasefire guarantees. 🗺️
Hostages & Hopes
Hamas confirmed plans to release 10 captives, part of a U.S.-backed 60-day truce proposal. Israel believes ~20 of the remaining 50 hostages are alive. But as negotiations enter their fourth day in Doha, Professor Niu Xinchun notes: 'Hamas wants survival; Israel wants Hamas’s elimination. These goals clash.' 🔄
Why It Matters
The war, sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,200, has claimed over 57,680 lives in Gaza. While short-term truces have paused fighting, analysts say lasting peace requires painful compromises – something neither side has yet embraced. 🌍
