Israel Accepts New U.S. Proposal for Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza
Israel has accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, but Hamas has not yet agreed to the terms of that proposal, the White House announced today.
The new proposal aimed to secure the release of surviving hostages and the return of the bodies of deceased Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for an extended truce.
“I can confirm that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel has supported,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
Hamas had earlier stated it would release the remaining hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, a permanent ceasefire, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. It also offered to hand over governance to a committee of politically independent Palestinians who could oversee the reconstruction of the devastated region.
Hamas still holds 58 hostages. It is believed that about a third are alive, but fears for their safety grow as the war drags on. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed airstrikes and ground operations following the end of the truce in March.
