Israel accepts the latest US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza
Israel has accepted the latest US proposal to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with a view to halting open warfare in the area in the future.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the families of those still kidnapped by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas that Israel has accepted the latest peace proposal presented by Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump.
Among the main points of Witkoff's proposal is a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel responded by accepting, while Hamas said it was studying the case.
It would be a 60-day ceasefire, with Israel's commitment in this case guaranteed by Donald Trump. It would include the release of ten living Israeli hostages and the handover of 18 dead hostages. Half of the hostages, both living and dead (five living and nine dead), would be released on the first day of the agreement. The remaining half (five living and nine dead) would be released on the seventh day, as proposed.
In terms of humanitarian aid, it is proposed that assistance be sent to Gaza as soon as Hamas accepts the ceasefire. This humanitarian aid would be maintained throughout the period in which the agreement is in force and would be delivered by the agreed entities, including the United Nations and the Red Crescent.
All Israeli military activities in Gaza would be suspended upon the agreement's entry into force.
The Israeli army would be redeployed. On the first day of the agreement, after the release of the Israeli hostages (five alive and nine dead), a redeployment would take place in the north of the Gaza Strip and in the Netzarim corridor, in accordance with the article on humanitarian aid and on the basis of maps to be agreed upon. Meanwhile, on the seventh day, following the release of the remaining Israeli prisoners (five alive and nine dead), a redeployment would take place in the southern Gaza Strip in accordance with the provisions on humanitarian aid and on the basis of maps to be agreed upon. Technical teams would work to determine the final boundaries of the redeployment through negotiations.
With regard to the release of Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for the release of the ten living Israeli hostages, Israel would release 125 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 Gaza residents arrested after the attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023 on Israeli territory. In exchange for the bodies of 18 hostages, Israel would hand over the bodies of 180 Gaza residents. The handover process would take place simultaneously according to an agreed mechanism and without public displays or celebrations. Half of these exchanges would take place on the first day and the other half on the seventh day.
Negotiations on agreements for a permanent ceasefire are expected to be concluded within 60 days. According to the agreement, the remaining hostages (alive and dead) on the ‘list of 58’ presented by Israel would be released. If no agreement on a permanent ceasefire is reached within the aforementioned timeframe, the temporary ceasefire could be extended on terms and for a period agreed upon by both parties if there is an understanding.
Hamas announced that it is studying the new US proposal with a view to a truce in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues its offensive with the aim of ending the Palestinian Islamist movement and recovering the hostages held there. However, Hamas continues to demand that its demands be met, including an end to the war and the famine in the area caused by the obstruction of humanitarian aid.
For its part, Israel continues its military activity in the Gaza Strip and continues to annex Palestinian territories with the announcement of 22 new settlements affecting the West Bank. There are currently more than 100 settlements, all considered illegal under international law, in which 500,000 Israeli settlers live. This global scenario continues to hinder the current situation in terms of achieving peace between Israel and Palestine.
