Latest News on Ceasefire on Hamas and Israel

As of July 10, 2025, negotiations for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel are ongoing, primarily mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.

Here’s a summary of the latest information:

Key Developments:

Proposed 60-day truce: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has proposed a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the remaining 20 living hostages held in Gaza.
Israel’s stance: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel is open to negotiating a permanent ceasefire during this proposed 60-day truce, but only on the condition that Gaza is demilitarized. This includes Hamas laying down its weapons and losing its governing or military capabilities. Israel is also interested in maintaining its troops in the “Morag corridor” in southern Gaza.
Hamas’s stance: Hamas has given a “positive” response to the latest ceasefire proposal but emphasizes that further talks are needed for implementation. They have agreed to release 10 living hostages but oppose any deal involving a significant Israeli military presence in Gaza. Hamas is also demanding “real guarantees” for lasting peace and a free flow of humanitarian aid. A major sticking point remains Hamas’s demand for a permanent end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops, which Netanyahu has resisted, insisting on destroying Hamas.
Ongoing fighting: Despite the ongoing talks, Israeli forces continue to carry out strikes in Gaza, and there have been reports of Palestinian casualties, including civilians.
Humanitarian crisis: The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread hunger and fears of famine. Aid delivery is extremely difficult due to Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order.

Negotiation Status:

Indirect negotiations between Israeli and Hamas delegations began in Doha recently.
US President Donald Trump has been actively pushing for a deal and has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu multiple times this week to discuss the ceasefire.
Hamas has stated that talks remain “tough” due to Israel’s “intransigence” on certain points, including troop withdrawal and guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.

In essence, while there’s a proposed framework for a temporary ceasefire and an agreement from Hamas to release some hostages, significant differences remain, particularly regarding the long-term status of Gaza and the complete end to the conflict.

Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu a War Criminal?

Let’s break down the factual basis for why the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is alleged to be a war criminal and his current situation.

The Allegations of War Crimes Against Benjamin Netanyahu

On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant. These warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The specific charges include:

Starvation as a method of warfare: This refers to allegations that they intentionally deprived the civilian population in Gaza of essential resources, leading to starvation.
Intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population: This pertains to alleged attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
Other crimes against humanity: Including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

The ICC’s Chief Prosecutor, Karim Ahmad Khan, stated that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for these acts as “co-perpetrators.”

Why is this significant?

Legal Obligation for ICC Member States: The ICC’s decision means that the 125 countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute (the treaty that established the ICC) are legally obligated to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter their territory and transfer them to The Hague for trial.
First against a Western-backed leader: This is a historic moment, as it’s the first time the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for the sitting leader of a Western-backed democratic country for alleged war crimes.
International Scrutiny: It intensifies international scrutiny and pressure on Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Current Status and Travel

As of July 10, 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu is not currently in the United States to “flee” arrest. He has been in Washington D.C. for a four-day visit, wrapping up his meetings with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials. His visit focused on discussions regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, hostage releases, and the recent “Iran-Israel war.”

The United States is not a member state of the International Criminal Court. Therefore, it is not legally obligated to arrest individuals with ICC warrants. In fact, U.S. law generally prohibits cooperation with the ICC on such matters, and the Trump administration has previously expressed strong opposition to the ICC’s actions, even sanctioning the court. This means that while there are ICC arrest warrants against him, Netanyahu can travel to non-ICC member states like the United States without fear of immediate arrest by the U.S. government.

However, his travel is significantly restricted to the 125 ICC member states. While some countries that are ICC members have indicated they would not enforce the warrant or have not yet clearly stated their position, others (like France, the Netherlands, and Jordan) are legally bound to do so. For example, when Netanyahu visited Hungary in April 2025, there were calls for Hungarian authorities to arrest him, although Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed that the warrant would have “no effect” in Hungary.

In summary:

While Benjamin Netanyahu has indeed been issued an arrest warrant by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, he is currently in the United States on an official visit. The U.S. is not an ICC member state and is not obligated to enforce the warrant, which explains why he can travel there. His “war criminal” status stems from the specific allegations and the formal arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.