- 29
- May
- 2025
Steve Witkoff, special envoy to US President Donald Trump, has unveiled a new framework aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza.
The proposal, delivered to Israeli officials overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, outlines a 60-day truce that would begin with Hamas releasing ten living hostages and the return of 18 bodies, to be carried out in two phases during the first week. In exchange, Israel would release 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
This ceasefire is intended as a critical window for negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict. Should a lasting agreement be reached, all remaining hostages and bodies would be released to Israeli authorities. If talks fail, Tel Aviv retains the right to resume military operations against the group. However, the plan includes a fallback option: discussions could be extended in exchange for the gradual release of additional hostages.
Ceasefire Proposal Includes Humanitarian Aid and Israeli Military Withdrawal
The framework also calls for the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations and international organizations.
From a military perspective, the Israeli Defense Forces would withdraw to positions held before the launch of “Iron Swords” Operation. While maintaining a presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, they would pull back from the Netzarim Axis—a sector recently dubbed “Philadelphi 2” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking Wednesday evening, Witkoff expressed cautious optimism, stating he had a “positive impression” of the prospects for a durable agreement. He emphasized that the proposal remains open to revisions. “I hope to present the document to the president before the end of the day,” he said.
Sources close to Witkoff report that the United States is resolutely committed to securing the deal, even if it requires “nuanced language.” Washington is reportedly exerting strong pressure on Israel to make a clear and unequivocal commitment to ending the conflict, which is an essential demand from Hamas.
Rising Tensions Between US Envoy and Israeli Officials
Coordination between the United States and Israel appears increasingly strained. An Israeli official told the Times of Israel that the recent Washington meeting between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Witkoff was “difficult.” The official said the envoy is growing impatient with Israeli hesitations, particularly after Netanyahu’s video announcement Monday, which hinted at an imminent statement on hostages held in Gaza.
Despite these frictions, the White House remains cautiously optimistic. US sources suggest a deal could be reached in the coming days if both sides demonstrate sufficient flexibility.
Meanwhile, Hamas has officially accepted the US proposal. “Hamas and Witkoff have reached an agreement on a general framework to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, withdraw Israeli forces from the enclave and resume humanitarian aid deliveries,” announced the group on its Telegram channel on Wednesday.
The Islamist group asserts that the initial ceasefire could be extended if negotiations positively progress. It also says it has received assurances from the US that talks will continue throughout the two-month truce, aiming for a permanent ceasefire.
Details of Prisoner and Body Exchanges
Hamas has committed to releasing ten living hostages and 18 bodies, including five hostages and nine bodies on the first day, with the remainder to be handed over on the seventh day. In return, Israel would release 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 Gaza detainees arrested since October 7 and 180 Palestinian bodies.
Netanyahu is set to meet tonight with key cabinet members, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and National Security, to discuss the US ceasefire proposal.
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