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According to the Wall Street Journal, both internal and regional pressures are pushing Israel and Hamas toward a deal that could reshape the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

Despite different motivations, both sides now face a decisive political moment that compels them to engage with initiatives led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.

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The proposed agreement involves a 60-day temporary truce during which Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The deal would also allow greater humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, which is currently facing an escalating famine crisis.

The paper reports that the recent war with Iran has been a political turning point for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It has granted him more room to maneuver around his far-right coalition partners, who had threatened to bring down the government if a ceasefire in Gaza were agreed upon.

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Israel’s success in striking Iranian nuclear facilities and targeting Tehran’s allies in Lebanon and Syria has strengthened Netanyahu’s position and opened the door to consider a pause in Gaza operations—without appearing weak to his base.

On the other side, Hamas is facing a dire situation in Gaza. Public discontent is mounting due to the blockade, dwindling food and medical supplies, and the collapse of infrastructure after nearly two years of Israeli airstrikes.

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The assassination of key Hamas commanders and severe financial shortfalls have made it difficult for the group to maintain internal organization and pay its fighters.

Hamas’s announcement on Friday expressing willingness to engage in “serious negotiations” for a ceasefire reflects its awareness of the growing pressure. A deal could temporarily ease conditions for the civilian population.

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However, complex issues remain to be resolved in ongoing talks in Cairo and Doha—such as how Israeli forces would redeploy within Gaza, and how humanitarian aid would be delivered and distributed. The United Nations’ failure to manage aid effectively has led Israel to rely on private American security companies to safeguard relief warehouses.

U.S. backing is expected to play a crucial role in pushing the deal through the Israeli government, particularly during Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

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Analysts say Netanyahu aims to use his success against Iran as political cover to proceed with the truce—and possibly even float the idea of early elections as a way to rebuild popularity lost since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.

Commenting on Netanyahu’s position, former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy said: “The truce might not be his first choice, but after striking Iran, he has a new victory narrative he can test to see if it gives him enough political momentum to push forward with a temporary ceasefire.”

Still, the road to lasting calm remains fraught. Israel refuses to commit to a full end to the war, while Hamas demands clear guarantees, making the current framework more of a trial phase than a final settlement.

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