• Yair Lapid calls for Prime Minister Netanyahu to accept a US-mediated ceasefire in Gaza.
• Israeli far-right ministers strongly oppose the ceasefire proposal, viewing it as a "lifeline to Hamas."
• The proposal suggests a prisoner exchange and a temporary truce to allow for peace talks.
• Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert criticizes Israel's military actions in Gaza as potentially war crimes.
• The ongoing conflict has reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties in Gaza and hostages remaining in captivity.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire proposal mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Lapid has called for the proposal's immediate acceptance, which includes an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners and a temporary ceasefire leading to negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Lapid emphasized, “Israel must publicly and immediately accept the outline published this morning by American mediator Steve Witkoff,” asserting he would provide political cover for Netanyahu, despite resistance from right-wing cabinet members, according to Middle East Eye and Middle East Eye.

However, opposition is fierce among far-right ministers within Netanyahu’s cabinet. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly rejected Witkoff’s proposal, claiming it represents a "lifeline to Hamas," while other ministers pressured Netanyahu to continue military actions in Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated, “The prime minister knows what my red line is,” outlining his adamant opposition to any truce that might halt military operations, according to AA and TRT Global.

The ceasefire proposition includes measures for releasing nine to ten hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to pre-war positions, with conditions outlined for prisoner releases and humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Nevertheless, critics argue that Netanyahu's performance is influenced by his far-right coalition partners who demand expansionist policies, which jeopardizes any potential ceasefire agreement. According to former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, current military actions in Gaza approach war crimes, as civilian casualties rise. "The war has no objective and has no chance of achieving anything that could save the lives of the hostages," Olmert remarked in a BBC interview, suggesting an end to the ongoing conflict is critical, according to Middle East Eye, AA, and TRT Global.

The ongoing operations have reportedly claimed the lives of over 54,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, since the conflict escalated in October 2023. The current situation has led to international scrutiny of Israel’s actions, with charges of war crimes also being pursued at the International Criminal Court and the possibility of a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. This context underscores the urgency and complexity surrounding negotiations for a ceasefire, as reported by AA and TRT Global.