U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has presented Israeli officials with a new proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal, the details of which emerged Thursday morning.
The plan calls for a 60-day halt in fighting, during which nine living hostages and half of the known deceased would be released in two phases over one week.
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(Photos: Nir Elias/Reuters, Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters, Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP, Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
Negotiations to end the war would continue during the ceasefire. If a framework is agreed upon, the remaining hostages—both living and dead—would be released. If talks fail, Israel would retain the right to resume military action, though the truce could also be extended in exchange for further hostage releases.
Under the plan, humanitarian aid to Gaza would resume through the UN and international agencies, and Israel would release prisoners in line with past agreements. The IDF would withdraw to its pre-offensive positions, maintaining a presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, which stretches the Gaza-Egypt border, but pulling back from the Morag Corridor between Rafah and Khan Younis.
Israeli officials received the proposal in recent hours but have not yet formally responded. However, early assessments suggest Israel is unlikely to reject it, as it mirrors envoy Witkoff’s earlier plan, which included a one-phase release of 10 hostages.
Should Israel accept the new outline, detailed negotiations will continue in Doha. The resumption of aid presents challenges, particularly concerns that Hamas could regain control of supplies. Witkoff, who expressed optimism about the plan’s potential for a lasting resolution, told reporters in the Oval Office that the proposal remains fluid. “We’re on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later today,” he said. “The president is going to review it.” He added that he expects a temporary ceasefire to lay the groundwork for a long-term peaceful resolution.
Sources who spoke with Witkoff Wednesday said that "the U.S. will do everything to reach a deal—even if it involves diplomatic language." While there is general agreement on most components of the deal, it is understood that Witkoff intends to exert significant pressure on Israel to show flexibility regarding guarantees for ending the war—a consistent demand from Hamas throughout the conflict that has led the terrorist organization to reject previous proposals.
Behind the scenes, negotiations and draft exchanges are taking place between Qatar and the U.S., reportedly without Israel's involvement, and seemingly with Hamas' knowledge. Hamas announced Wednesday afternoon that it had reached a "general agreement" with Witkoff, although Jerusalem was unaware of the details. Sources familiar with the matter stated, "It seems Trump is frustrated with Israel's handling of the war in Gaza. He wants to conclude it."
Under Witkoff’s original proposal, half of the living hostages and the remains of the dead were to be released on the first day of a 40-day ceasefire, with the rest freed at the end of the truce if a permanent ceasefire was agreed upon. In the revised plan, the ceasefire would last 60 days, during which nine living hostages and the remains of 18 individuals would be released in two phases within the first week.
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Demonstrators in Tel Aviv demand a deal for the return of the hostages
(Photo: Leo Correa/AP)
Sources who spoke with Witkoff said the U.S. is determined to reach a deal “even if it involves creative language,” with an understanding that Witkoff will pressure Israel to show more flexibility on guarantees for ending the war—a longstanding Hamas demand that led to the rejection of previous proposals.
Behind the scenes, draft negotiations have been taking place between Qatar and the U.S., reportedly without Israel’s direct involvement but with Hamas’ knowledge. According to sources familiar with the talks: “It seems Trump is fed up with Israel’s handling of the Gaza war. He wants this resolved.”
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Regardless, Witkoff's statement aligns with messages conveyed in his original proposal, which Israel insists upon. However, Witkoff's plan is just one of several proposals currently on the table, and given the stalemate and Hamas' refusal to accept it, Witkoff appears to recognize the need for adjustments to his proposal. This raises the question of how Israel will respond to the new proposal, after repeatedly emphasizing that Witkoff's original proposal is the only one under consideration.
Witkoff's declaration followed Hamas' claim Wednesday afternoon that it had reached an "agreement in principle" in talks with him on a comprehensive ceasefire and the release of ten hostages. An Israeli official later responded to the announcement, asserting that there were no agreements and that "the terrorist organization Hamas continues its propaganda and psychological warfare." According to the official: "As Special Envoy Witkoff himself stated two days ago—while Israel agreed to his proposal, Hamas continues to adhere to its refusal. Hamas's proposal is unacceptable—to both Israel and the American administration." Nonetheless, it now appears there may have been substance to Hamas's announcement.