U.S. proposes 60-day Gaza ceasefire with hostage and prisoner exchange

A U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza, obtained by Reuters on Friday, outlines a 60-day truce during which 28 Israeli hostages—both alive and deceased—would be released in the first week and in return, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and hand over the remains of 180 Palestinians.

The plan, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and supported by mediators Egypt and Qatar, includes immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza once Hamas agrees to the ceasefire. Aid would be delivered via the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other approved channels.

The White House announced Thursday that Israel had accepted the plan. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed hostage families that the proposal, presented by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, had been accepted. Netanyahu’s office declined to comment.

Hamas confirmed it had received Israel’s response but criticized it as inadequate. The group said the proposal fails to address key demands, including an immediate end to hostilities and relief from Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

“This response aims to entrench the occupation and continue policies of killing and starvation—even during a so-called de-escalation,” said Hamas official Basem Naim. Nevertheless, he noted that Hamas leadership is conducting a “thorough and responsible review” of the plan.

The U.S. proposal also states that Hamas would release the remaining 30 of the 58 Israeli hostages once a permanent ceasefire is reached. Israel, in turn, would halt all military operations in Gaza immediately after the truce begins and gradually withdraw its troops.

Previous ceasefire efforts have collapsed due to significant disagreements between the two sides. Israel insists on Hamas’s full disarmament, its dismantling as a political and military force, and the return of all hostages. Hamas rejects disarmament and demands an Israeli troop withdrawal and a firm commitment to ending the war.

Israel’s military campaign began after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 Israelis into Gaza, according to Israeli sources. Since then, over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, and the enclave has been devastated.

Rising International Pressure

Israel is facing growing global pressure to end the war. Several European nations—typically hesitant to criticize Israel—are now urging a ceasefire and major humanitarian action.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported Friday that Israel is severely limiting aid into Gaza, allowing in only minimal supplies, and warned that the area is "the hungriest place on earth," with little ready-to-eat food entering.

On Wednesday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said a new ceasefire “term sheet” was nearing release and expressed optimism about achieving a temporary ceasefire and, ultimately, a lasting peace.

According to the plan, the initial 60-day ceasefire could be extended if permanent ceasefire talks are not completed within that timeframe.

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri dismissed the terms as reflective of Israel's position, saying the proposal lacked concrete commitments to ending the war, withdrawing Israeli troops, or allowing humanitarian aid—key Hamas demands.

Aid Distribution Efforts

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.-backed and Israeli-endorsed private group, reported delivering more than 1.8 million meals this week. On Thursday, it expanded operations to a third aid site in Gaza, with plans to add more locations soon.

Despite this effort, the initiative has faced sharp criticism from the United Nations and other aid agencies, which argue it is insufficient and poorly executed. The U.N. estimates that two million people in Gaza are at risk of famine, worsened by an 11-week Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid.

Aid distribution turned chaotic on Tuesday when large crowds overwhelmed delivery sites, forcing private security personnel to withdraw. The disorder has intensified global pressure on Israel to increase food shipments and cease hostilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that France may toughen its stance if Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza.