New Ceasefire Proposal Emerges as Hostage Negotiations Continue Between Israel and Hamas
A leaked draft from various media outlets has shed light on a tentative agreement that could see Hamas release 28 hostages within a week in return for a 60-day ceasefire. However, Hamas has contested the deal, asserting that it does not entail an end to the ongoing war or require the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the region.
Amidst these negotiations, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, along with presidential backing, presented this ceasefire proposal to Hamas, which reportedly has the approval and support of Israel. Senior Hamas member Sami Abu Zuhri stated to Reuters that the group is currently reviewing the proposal, though he noted that it reflects Israel's positions without guaranteeing a resolution to the conflict or a withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The U.S. plan outlines a 60-day ceasefire paired with the release of 28 Israeli hostages in exchange for the liberation of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the return of 180 deceased Palestinians, as uncovered by Reuters. At present, Hamas holds 58 hostages.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavit confirmed that Israel approved the proposal before it was communicated to Hamas. "Discussions continue, and we hope to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that will ensure the return of all hostages, which has been a priority of this administration from the very beginning," she stated, refraining from further comments as negotiations are still ongoing.
In recent days, reports have circulated about a potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East. Witkoff has been diligently working on a proposal that could satisfy both parties, even though their positions remain significantly divergent regarding critical issues like the duration of the ceasefire. Hamas is demanding a permanent ceasefire that would conclude the war, while Israel is only willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire until all hostages are reclaimed, without committing to the cessation of military action in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured the families of the hostages taken by Hamas on Thursday that he has accepted Witkoff's proposal, indicating a level of seriousness regarding the ongoing hostage situation.
Historically, during a previous ceasefire from January 19 to early March, 33 hostages were progressively released, though this included eight individuals who were deceased. This exchange involved the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities. The agreement ultimately unraveled when discussions for the subsequent phase faltered, leading Israel to break the ceasefire unilaterally on March 18. Consequently, the military offensive against Gaza intensified, resulting in devastating losses. Since then, near 4,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, contributing to an overall casualty count exceeding 54,000 deceased and 123,000 injured due to the ongoing conflict that has escalated since its inception in October 2023, as reported by the Gazan Ministry of Health.
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