Hamas is preparing to present a new ceasefire initiative for Gaza, according to a report by the Saudi-owned outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, as its delegation arrives in Cairo for renewed discussions.
The report outlines a proposed deal under which all remaining hostages in Gaza would be released at once in return for a negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, the plan reportedly includes a complete halt to military actions, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions previously held under the last ceasefire, and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.
The report indicates that Hamas intends to push for a five-year cessation of hostilities, backed by international assurances.
Another key element of the proposal is the formation of a technocratic governing body to oversee civilian affairs in Gaza. This concept is said to draw on an Egyptian plan circulated in recent months. Hamas is also reportedly open to the idea of advancing reconciliation with the Fatah movement.
These developments align with other recent reports. Earlier this week, sources familiar with the talks told the Times of Israel that Hamas had conveyed to Arab intermediaries its readiness to accept a long-term truce with Israel. During this period, Hamas would agree to halt all military operations, including weapons production and tunnel excavation.
{Matzav.com Israel}Vice President JD Vance issued a stern ultimatum on Wednesday, signaling that the United States may pull out of peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine unless progress is made at an upcoming summit in London, where officials are set to deliberate over what has been termed President Trump’s “final offer.”
“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the US to walk away from this process,” Vance declared to the press while visiting India. “We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was originally slated to be part of the high-level discussions in London, has decided not to attend, according to CNN. The U.S. remains focused on pressing for a resolution to the war, even though Ukraine remains firm on not ceding land currently under Russian control.
Sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Axios that the peace package — presented as Trump’s “final offer” — includes American recognition of Crimea as belonging to Russia, along with tacit acceptance of most of the territories seized by Russian forces since the 2022 invasion.
The offer also blocks Ukraine from joining NATO but leaves the door open for the country to potentially join the European Union. These terms were outlined in a brief document shared with European officials in Paris last week.
The proposal also includes a full rollback of sanctions levied against Russia since 2014. In return, Washington and Moscow would commit to expanding economic collaboration, especially in the energy sector, Axios reported.
In exchange, Ukraine would be given “a robust security guarantee” from a coalition of both European and non-European nations. However, the specifics of this guarantee have yet to be finalized.
The agreement would allow Ukraine to regain a sliver of territory in the Kharkiv region and restore full access to the Dnieper River.
Kyiv would also be promised financial support to aid in reconstruction, though the source of the funds was not detailed in the summary of the proposal.
This round of negotiations comes on the heels of a recent strategy meeting involving the leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, where the American initiative was reviewed.
With Rubio absent, Trump has appointed Keith Kellogg, his special envoy on matters involving Russia and Ukraine, to stand in for the U.S. at the London summit, CNN reported.
{Matzav.com}
A major political crisis is brewing within Israel’s governing coalition as the chareidi parties intensify demands for a new draft law that will secure the status of yeshiva students without imposing any penalties or sanctions. In response to the government’s failure to advance such legislation, Yahadus HaTorah is expected to boycott votes in the Knesset and its committees, an unprecedented move that could soon be joined by Shas.
The emergency faction meeting of Yahadus HaTorah, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, will focus on the stalled progress in legislating a draft exemption framework. At the heart of the discontent is MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, who has expressed growing frustration over the government’s inaction, despite repeated warnings from the party’s spiritual leadership.
During the meeting, Yahadus HaTorah is likely to adopt a decision to suspend its participation in both Knesset plenum votes and committee sessions. Some within the faction are also pushing to halt activity entirely in committees under chareidi control, such as the powerful Finance Committee.
The demand from the party is clear: tangible legislative progress must be made on the new draft law, in accordance with the explicit guidance of Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch and Rav Dov Landau, roshei yeshiva of Slabodka.
Political insiders believe Shas will follow suit if Yahadus HaTorah officially decides to disengage from coalition business.
According to information obtained by inside sources, during Yom Tov visits with members of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, Shas leader Aryeh Deri was quoted as saying, “We are working to pass a draft law that will pass the test of the High Court. But if we don’t see significant movement in the next two weeks, we will boycott Knesset votes. We won’t continue as if everything is normal—I’ve already made that clear to Netanyahu.”
Behind the scenes, a major dispute is unfolding. Gedolei Yisroel have firmly demanded that any new draft law exclude sanctions—particularly personal sanctions against yeshiva students or institutions—despite understandings reportedly reached between Aryeh Deri and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s predecessor, Yisroel Katz. Katz had previously declared that any draft legislation from his office would include personal penalties if enlistment targets weren’t met.
{Matzav.com Israel}
As tensions rise over the issue of yeshiva student enlistment in the IDF, leading Torah authorities are voicing forceful opposition. At a gathering held at his home, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rashbi, delivered a passionate message against the looming threat.
Amid reports of several yeshiva bochurim being arrested in recent months and the continued failure to formulate a new, mutually acceptable draft law, Rav Bergman addressed the urgent need to fortify the resolve of bnei hayeshivos not to compromise on the sanctity of Torah learning or submit to military authorities.
Opening his remarks, Rav Bergman stated: “I want to take this opportunity, as we are gathered together, to address one specific point that concerns us directly. Everyone knows that Klal Yisroel is facing a serious threat. There is a danger that they will take bnei yeshiva into the army, chas v’shalom.”
He continued: “I want to tell you — we must all stand firm on this issue like a fortress. We must make it clear, to those who want to hear and those who don’t want to hear, that we will not give up on anyone. No one has the authority to give up on the holy Torah.”
Rav Bergman concluded with a stirring call to unity and faith: “And if we stand strong, and protect the bnei yeshivos, and they know that we are all with them — then Hashem will help, the decree will be nullified, and we will merit the elevation of the Torah’s honor and the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days, Amen.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
In a critical meeting held Tuesday evening in Yerushalayim, two senior roshei yeshiva, Rav Dov Landau and Rav Avraham Salim, came together to discuss the fate of bnei yeshiva and the future of the Chok HaGiyus (draft law). The private, in-depth discussion marked a significant step toward forging a unified chareidi front amid rising tensions over the stalled legislative process.
Rav Dov Landau, rosh yeshiva of Slabodka, met with Rav Salim, member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, to coordinate positions ahead of what is shaping up to be a fierce political and ideological battle over the law that determines the military exemption for yeshiva students.
During the meeting, Rav Landau told Rav Salim, “There must be unity from everyone under one policy.”
This call for solidarity reflects growing frustration in the chareidi sector over the government’s inaction and concerns about emerging terms that could include punitive sanctions.
According to political analyst Yishai Cohen, the meeting’s purpose was to strengthen coordination between Yahadus HaTorah and Shas in preparation for a joint campaign to pass a version of the draft law that aligns with Torah values.
Matzav.com has learned that the content of this meeting was closely aligned with a separate discussion held earlier in the day between Rav Landau’s circle and the court of the Gerrer Rebbe. Both reportedly reached a mutual understanding: the new draft law must not include any sanctions—particularly personal ones—and should resemble the law as it stood previously, without a requirement that 50% of each age cohort enlist.
Both rabbinic circles agreed that this will be the official stance of Degel HaTorah and Agudas Yisrael, and that Shas will be brought into alignment as well. Rav Landau’s visit to Rav Salim’s home was described as the final step in cementing a cohesive chareidi policy ahead of the anticipated legislative storm.
The backdrop to this meeting includes a previous summit held about a month ago between Rav Landau and the Gerrer Rebbe, where the foundations for this unified position were laid.
At the core of the current discussions is a firm demand that any future draft law replicate the format used under the previous government, without any personal sanctions and without a 50% enlistment quota from each draft class.
{Matzav.com Israel}
