New US Ceasefire Proposal Would Release 10 Living Hostages Over 60 Days
On Wednesday, Hamas announced that it had achieved a general framework agreement with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for a ceasefire deal in Gaza. The framework reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 10 living Israeli hostages—five on the first day and five on the last—and the return of several bodies. In exchange, Israel would release over 1,200 Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of deadly attacks, and allow the entry of humanitarian aid.
The deal also calls for Israeli troops to pull back from certain areas in Gaza and for the US, Egypt, and Qatar to guarantee ongoing negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
Hebrew media has reported that the deal includes an option for Israel to resume fighting if talks collapse.
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Israel has not officially commented on the proposal, but ministers have begun speaking out. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the plan outright, saying, “I object to giving a lifeline to Hamas,” and Settlements Minister Orit Strock urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to “fold” when Hamas is “on its knees.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid called on Israel to approve the deal, pledging to support the plan even if Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners object.
“Israel should publicly and immediately accept the new American proposal,” Lapid said.
Fifty-eight hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, 21 of whom are thought to be alive. The Hostage Families Forum has called for a deal to bring all of the hostages, living and dead, home at once.
