The United States has put forward a fresh 60-day ceasefire proposal aimed at halting the war in Gaza, which has entered its eighth month. The draft, reviewed by Reuters and confirmed by several diplomatic sources, outlines a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners, alongside the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the besieged enclave.
The plan has secured backing from US President Donald Trump and key regional mediators, Egypt and Qatar. According to its terms, Hamas would, in the first week, release 28 Israeli hostages—both alive and deceased—while Israel would free 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and repatriate the remains of 180 Palestinians.
Should a permanent ceasefire be achieved, the remaining 30 hostages held by Hamas would also be released.
The White House confirmed on Thursday that Israel has accepted the proposal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to have informed families of hostages about his government's decision.
Hamas, however, has yet to formally respond. A cautious reaction emerged from the group, which voiced reservations over the plan’s failure to address key Palestinian demands. “The draft does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine,” said Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, speaking to The Associated Press.
Naim further stated that the group would review the document “with all national responsibility.”
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Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior Hamas figure, told Reuters that the plan “reflects the position of the occupation” and failed to guarantee Israeli troop withdrawal or the cessation of hostilities.
The proposed plan follows a series of diplomatic impasses since the previous ceasefire collapsed in March after a brief two-month respite. The war, which began on 7 October 2023, was triggered by a Hamas assault in southern Israel that claimed approximately 1,200 lives and resulted in the abduction of 251 people, as per Israeli figures.
Israel responded with a massive military offensive in Gaza, which, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, has killed over 54,000 people and devastated much of the strip. Around 90 per cent of Gaza’s population is now displaced, with many seeking shelter in overcrowded camps and makeshift tents.
Deep-rooted divisions remain. Israel demands the complete disarmament and dismantling of Hamas as a governing and military entity. In contrast, Hamas insists on full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent end to military operations before any disarmament discussions can proceed.
Reports suggest that Hamas may be willing to relinquish political control over Gaza in favour of an independent Palestinian body tasked with reconstruction, provided a lasting ceasefire is guaranteed.
The proposal also stipulates that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaza as soon as Hamas agrees to the terms. Concurrently, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the US, has expanded its distribution operations. The foundation has reportedly supplied over 1.8 million meals, though the UN has criticised the effort as insufficient and poorly managed.
The United Nations and other relief agencies have repeatedly warned of looming famine, citing near-total food insecurity in the territory. The World Food Programme has called for unrestricted access and consistent aid deliveries to avert a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.
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