 "US to send new proposal to Israel & Hamas for Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal")
Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to Middle East, will submit a new proposal to Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages.
The development comes shortly after Hamas said that it had reached an understanding with Witkoff a “general framework” of a ceasefire-hostage release deal. Israel was quick to dismiss the statement. However, Witkoff said he had “very good feelings” about reaching a deal soon.
“We’re on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later today. The president is going to review it. I have some very good feelings about getting to…a temporary ceasefire and a long-term, peaceful resolution of that conflict,” said Witkoff on Wednesday.
After resuming the war in March, Israel has declared that it plans to control the vast majority of the strip and work towards realising US President Donald Trump's plan that would involve the expulsion of all Palestinians and the US takeover of the strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn flak for prioritising the annexation of Gaza over the return of hostages — 20 of 58 people still in captivity in Gaza are believed to be alive.
US proposal based on direct talks with Israel & Hamas: Report
Witkoff’s latest proposal is based on his talks with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Washington DC and Bishara Bahbah’s talks with senior Hamas officials in Qatar in recent days, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Bahbah is a Palestinian-American activist who has been tapped by the Trump administration to hold talks with Hamas and Arabs.
Despite Witkoff’s optimism, a source told The Post that “Hamas’ attempt to use the ‘Witkoff framework’ as a branded concept to promote their own vision will not succeed”. Officials further said that they were not aware of any deal reached between Hamas and the United States.
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The newspaper reported that the main point of contention between Hamas and Israel is what happens after the expiration of any temporary ceasefire.
If any temporary ceasefire expires before a final deal is reached, Hamas wants US guarantees that negotiations will continue whereas Israel says the war will resume, according to the newspaper.
Sources familiar with the details told the newspaper, “There is a sense that a deal can be reached. Gaps remain, but they are bridgeable, and therefore, there is cautious optimism that the talks will conclude successfully.”
Hamas hints at terms of deal
In the statement on Wednesday, Hamas hinted at the terms of the deal that it could reach with Israel via Witkoff-led negotiations.
“We have reached an agreement on a general framework with Witkoff that ensures a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid,” Hamas said on Wednesday.
Under the terms of the deal, Hamas said it would release of 10 living hostages and bodies of many others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas further said that the agreement includes “the establishment of a professional committee to manage Gaza’s affairs once a ceasefire is declared”.
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