• Hamas demands any interim truce to include progress toward a permanent ceasefire.
• Israel and Hamas are engaged in complex negotiations for a potential 60-day ceasefire.
• Proposed agreements involve hostage releases and addressing the end of the war.

Hamas has declared that while it is open to discussions about an interim truce in the ongoing Gaza conflict, any such agreement must pave the way for a permanent ceasefire. The group's military spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, emphasized that a refusal from Israel could lead Hamas to revert to demanding a comprehensive deal instead of a temporary resolution, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The ongoing negotiations, occurring for the first time between Israel and Hamas regarding the end of the war, are framed as more intricate than prior hostage-related discussions. An Israeli source familiar with the negotiations stated that they encompass various interconnected issues, indicating a complex approach towards achieving a ceasefire, as reported by TRT Global and Anadolu Agency.

As part of the potential agreement, the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which Israel would see the release of 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others, in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, significant issues remain unresolved, notably regarding aid delivery mechanisms and Israeli troop deployments, which could hinder the negotiations going forward, according to TRT Global.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will only conclude once Hamas is disarmed and its leaders expelled. This stance complicates any agreement to a ceasefire as Hamas insists on conditions that lead to an end of hostilities, highlighting the persistent deadlock between the two parties, as emphasized by both Reuters and Channel News Asia.