On May 29 (local time), the Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel reported that Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, proposed a plan for a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, conditional on the release of 10 hostages.
According to the new proposal, during the first week of the ceasefire, the Palestinian militant group Hamas would release 10 surviving hostages. Half of them would be freed on the first day of the ceasefire, and the remaining half on the seventh day. The proposal also includes a condition that Hamas would return the bodies of 18 hostages currently held to Israel. However, the timing of the repatriation of the bodies has not been specified.
The 60-day ceasefire period would also require Israeli forces to withdraw from areas of the Gaza Strip they have recently taken control of, and United Nations agencies would be responsible for distributing humanitarian aid. Recently, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), led by Israel and the United States, has overseen aid distribution, but under this plan, the United Nations would resume this role.
However, it is reported that the proposal does not include a commitment from Israel to end the war. While Hamas is demanding a permanent cessation of hostilities, Israel's position, which only allows for a temporary ceasefire, appears to be reflected in the plan.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, "Envoy Witkoff and President Trump have delivered a ceasefire proposal to Hamas. This is something Israel has supported and approved," adding, "Israel signed off on the agreement before it was delivered to Hamas." According to Israeli media outlet N12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to accept the new proposal during a conversation with the families of the hostages on the same day.
In a statement, Hamas said, "The leadership has received Witkoff's new proposal through mediators," and added, "We are reviewing it responsibly in order to serve the interests of our people, provide humanitarian aid, and achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."
Israeli media outlet Walla, citing sources, reported that Hamas expressed dissatisfaction with Witkoff's new proposal, as it leaves open the possibility that hostilities could resume even if a ceasefire is reached, and therefore requested changes to certain aspects of the plan.
The British daily Guardian, citing sources, reported that Hamas considers the current proposal a step back compared to previous negotiations, as earlier proposals included provisions for talks on a permanent ceasefire. The outlet also noted that Hamas would find it difficult to accept the proposal unless it includes a U.S. guarantee for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.
In contrast, Saudi Arabian media outlet Al Arabiya, citing sources, reported that "Hamas and Israel have agreed to a 60-day ceasefire," and that "President Trump will announce the details of the Gaza Strip ceasefire within hours."
However, following these reports, the White House stated that while Israel has agreed to Witkoff's proposal, it has not yet received a response from Hamas.
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