The United States has presented Hamas with a new cease-fire proposal for Gaza that has already gained Israeli approval, offering a potential path to end months of devastating conflict.
At a Glance
- The US submitted a cease-fire proposal to Hamas that Israel has already approved and signed off on
- The proposal includes a 60-day cease-fire, increased humanitarian aid, and potential hostage releases
- Hamas has expressed concerns about insufficient guarantees for a permanent end to hostilities
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has briefed hostage families about the proposal’s details
- Fighting continues with reports of over 3,800 Palestinian deaths since Israel’s renewed offensive
US Proposal Gains Israeli Support
The White House has confirmed that a new cease-fire proposal has been sent to Hamas with Israel’s full backing. This marks the third such initiative involving Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, following two previously unsuccessful attempts. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided official confirmation of the development.
The proposal’s initial phase includes a 60-day cease-fire and increased humanitarian aid flow through United Nations operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already briefed the families of hostages being held in Gaza about the plan’s details. If accepted by Hamas, this agreement could potentially end the war that began following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hamas Response and Ongoing Concerns
While Hamas has not outright rejected the proposal, the group has expressed significant concerns about whether the deal provides sufficient guarantees to permanently end the conflict. The primary sticking point appears to be Israel’s insistence on resuming military operations if Hamas refuses to disarm, while Hamas demands guarantees for a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Previous confusion arose when Hamas claimed to have agreed to a US-backed proposal, which American officials quickly dismissed as “unacceptable” and “disappointing.” Israeli officials further denied that the proposal Hamas referenced had originated from the US government. This latest proposal represents a more coordinated effort with explicit Israeli buy-in before presentation to Hamas.
Humanitarian Crisis Continues
The urgency for a cease-fire agreement is underscored by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israeli forces continue heavy bombardment, with health authorities reporting over 3,822 Palestinian deaths and nearly 123,000 injuries since Israel’s renewed offensive began on March 18. A day before the new proposal announcement, at least 81 people, including children, were reportedly killed in Israeli attacks.
While Israel has recently eased blockade restrictions to allow approximately 170 aid trucks into Gaza, international aid organizations maintain this remains insufficient for the population’s critical needs. Severe food shortages persist throughout the territory, with civilians desperate for any agreement that would end both the bombardment and the blockade.
International Pressure Mounting
The international community, including traditional allies of Israel, has grown increasingly critical of the prolonged conflict and mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce expressed “some important optimism” about the proposal’s potential, noting it shows “significant promise” for progress toward ending hostilities.
Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to insist on retrieving all Israeli captives from Gaza while rejecting Hamas’s previous calls for an immediate permanent cease-fire. His conditions include the return of all hostages, complete demilitarization of Hamas, and the exile of its leadership. Hamas has expressed willingness to release captives in exchange for a permanent cease-fire and to cede control of Gaza to an interim government, but opposes displacement and disarmament demands.
The coming days will prove critical in determining whether this latest US-brokered proposal can overcome the significant obstacles that have prevented previous cease-fire agreements from taking hold.