Timeline

What happened: Following Hamas's October 7th attacks and Israel's subsequent military response, Gaza has faced a devastating humanitarian crisis. Previous conflicts and ceasefire attempts have marked the history between Israel and Hamas.
What's happening now: Axios reports that the US and Israel are close to an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire plan, reportedly based on a Trump-era proposal, after talks involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with PM Netanyahu. Hamas has been briefed but has not yet agreed.
What's next: The immediate next step is Hamas's response to the proposed deal. If accepted, an immediate ceasefire, hostage/prisoner exchange, and phased Israeli withdrawal are expected. If rejected, the conflict is likely to continue, with potential for further escalation and worsening humanitarian conditions.

Different Perspectives

United States (Trump Administration Influence): Former officials like Witkoff and Kushner are actively pushing a proposal, indicating a potential shift or parallel diplomatic track.
Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu faces domestic pressure and international scrutiny, balancing the stated goal of dismantling Hamas with the pursuit of a hostage release and ceasefire deal.
Hamas: Their acceptance is critical, and their decision will be based on their assessment of the terms concerning their long-term security and political objectives.
International Community: Widespread calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid continue, with many nations watching closely for any signs of de-escalation.

What You Need to Know

A potential Gaza ceasefire deal is reportedly nearing agreement between the US and Israel.
The proposal is said to be based on a plan from former President Donald Trump.
Key elements include an immediate ceasefire, hostage release within 48 hours, and phased Israeli withdrawal.
Hamas's approval is the critical outstanding factor.
The deal aims to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Regional Perspective

This development is particularly significant for the Middle East, where the ongoing conflict has destabilized the region and impacted normalization efforts between Israel and Arab nations. The involvement of former US administration figures suggests a potentially different approach to regional diplomacy, which could have implications for future US engagement in the Middle East. The approval by Hamas would not only impact Gaza but also influence the broader Palestinian political landscape and the future of Israeli security policy.