Israel proposes alternative plan for hostage deal with Hamas

• Israel adopted a temporary ceasefire plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was proposed by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The new plan would require Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages.
• If Hamas accepts, the sides would then have around six weeks during Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday to negotiate a permanent ceasefire.
• Israel cut off humanitarian aid to Gaza on Sunday, March 2.

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Israel introduced a new U.S. ceasefire plan in an effort to force Hamas to accept by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip. The plan differs from what the two sides agreed to in January with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referring to the new version as the “Witkoff proposal.”

He said it came from President Donald Trump’s mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, but the White House has yet to confirm that.

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Netanyahu’s remarks come following the end of the first phase of the negotiated ceasefire, with no indication on what would come next since the agreement’s second phase has not yet been finalized.

What terms are in the ‘Witkoff proposal’?

The new plan would require Hamas to release half of its 59 remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce.

The sides would then have around six weeks during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month and the Jewish Passover holiday ending on April 20, to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and return the remaining hostages. 

Hamas has said it will release the hostages only if Israel ends the war.

The Jerusalem Post reported Hamas is currently refusing the proposal. 

Without an agreement on the release of hostages, Israel is now preparing to escalate actions against Hamas.

What actions has Israel taken already?

Israel cut off humanitarian aid to Gaza Sunday, March 2, and is preparing to terminate water and electricity. 

Officials said even if Hamas does not accept the Witkoff proposal, Hamas might agree to release hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and access to aid. 

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Witkoff had planned to return to the Middle East to finalize a deal but since there isn’t any progress so far, it’s unclear when he may arrive.