Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq has said the group had accepted a mediator-backed ceasefire proposal in August—accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of blocking progress—in response to U.S. President Donald Trump 's demand it return all Israeli hostages.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas officials for comment.

Why It Matters

Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza has drawn unprecedented global backlash amid soaring civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian collapse , with some European states moving toward punitive steps.

As aid groups say famine has already taken hold, the assault risks the lives of remaining hostages—captured by Hamas in its October 2023 attack—while Netanyahu faces mounting political turmo

See Full Page