Hamas is reviewing a newly updated ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States, aimed at halting the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan, which Israel has reportedly accepted, introduces key changes, including a 60-day truce, increased humanitarian access, and a limited exchange of hostages.
The proposal comes amid intense international pressure to end the deadly conflict, which has claimed over 61,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Government Media Office in Gaza. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been facilitating discussions between all parties, presented the revised draft earlier this week.
Key Elements of the Proposal:
- 60-Day Ceasefire: A temporary truce to allow humanitarian organizations to scale up food and medical relief operations in Gaza, where the United Nations warns the “window to prevent famine is closing fast.”
- Hostage Exchange: The deal proposes the release of 10 Israeli hostages still alive, along with the return of the remains of 18 others believed to have died while in captivity.
- Humanitarian Corridors: Enhanced delivery mechanisms coordinated by the United Nations and neighbouring Egypt to improve access to aid in both northern and southern Gaza.
While Israel has accepted the terms, Hamas leadership remains cautious. Officials in Doha stated that the group is studying the proposal closely but emphasized that any agreement must include a path to a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza — two long-standing demands Hamas says are not clearly met in the current draft.
The conflict, now in its eighth month, was triggered by Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,139 people and resulted in over 200 hostages being taken. Since then, relentless Israeli military campaigns have devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, displaced over 1.5 million people, and crippled aid efforts.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Hamas to accept the proposal “without delay,” warning that the humanitarian crisis cannot be eased without immediate de-escalation. Meanwhile, Arab states and European governments continue to push for a broader resolution that includes a long-term political settlement and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Photo Credit: Reuters
