Axios Reports Proposal Aims for Permanent War Ending Agreement

A new proposal circulating among mediators aims to accelerate negotiations toward a permanent and comprehensive agreement to end the war in Gaza, Axios reported Sunday, citing sources familiar with the discussions. The second phase of the ceasefire framework envisions not merely a pause in fighting but a full cessation of hostilities and a lasting political settlement, marking a significant shift in the ambition of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The proposal represents an attempt to move beyond the fragmented phase-by-phase approach that has defined negotiations since the January ceasefire deal, which secured the release of a number of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have been pressing for a more durable framework that could prevent a return to large-scale military operations.

Qatar has played a central role throughout the mediation process, with senior officials in Doha hosting multiple rounds of indirect talks between Israeli and Hamas delegations. Qatari Foreign Ministry officials have repeatedly emphasized that any sustainable peace requires addressing the underlying political status of Gaza and ensuring humanitarian conditions for its civilian population, which has endured nearly eighteen months of devastating conflict.

The details of the proposal remain under negotiation, and significant gaps persist between the parties. Hamas has insisted that any permanent agreement must include a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and guarantees that the war will not resume, while Israeli officials have indicated they are unwilling to commit to ending the war before all remaining hostages are released.

Diplomats familiar with the process say the push toward a permanent framework reflects growing international pressure on all sides to move toward a conclusive end to the conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and displaced the vast majority of Gaza's population. The humanitarian situation in the territory remains catastrophic, with aid agencies warning of famine conditions and the near-total collapse of health infrastructure.

The Axios report did not specify a timeline for when a second-phase agreement might be finalized, nor did it detail the exact terms being proposed. Mediators are expected to convene further meetings in the coming weeks as they attempt to bridge the remaining gaps and translate the framework into a binding accord.