Prospects for a cessation of the two-year-long hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza—a process mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt in Cairo—have brightened with President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal. This has been accepted by Arab and Muslim countries and European allies, including India, as indicating a pathway to end the killing, prevent the displacement of Palestinians, and resume aid inflows into the Strip. Both Israel and Hamas have responded positively to the proposal.

For a ceasefire to kick in immediately, Hamas must approve the initial withdrawal line for Israeli forces, followed by the release of Israeli captives, dead or alive, within 72........

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