Israel has recently unveiled what it claims as a new ceasefire proposition from the United States, distinct from the agreement reached earlier this year in January. The proposal, referred to as the “Witkoff proposal” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was supposedly introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. However, the White House has yet to issue a confirmation, merely stating its support for any actions Israel deems necessary.
These remarks from Netanyahu came just after the conclusion of the initial phase of a previously negotiated ceasefire. The unfolding stages of the plan remain ambiguous as discussions for the second phase are still under development. The newly outlined plan calls for Hamas, a significant Palestinian group, to release half of its remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip in return for extending the ceasefire and engaging in discussions for a permanent peace agreement.
Hamas, however, has expressed concerns, accusing Israel of undermining the prior agreement, which was aimed at negotiating the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and a lasting ceasefire. But unfortunately, substantive negotiations seem to be at a standstill. Recently, Israel intensified its pressure by halting supplies of food, fuel, and vital medicine to Gaza’s 2 million residents, threatening further repercussions unless Hamas adheres to the proposed plan.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders are formulating an alternative postwar proposal for Gaza, poised against President Trump’s suggestion to transform Gaza into a tourist destination by relocating its population. If conflict reignites, these plans are likely to remain unrealized. The existing ceasefire arrangement is currently in a state of uncertainty, following the deal approved in January after over a year of negotiations involving the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. This agreement was designed to conclude the hostilities sparked by an attack on October 7, 2023, and to secure the return of hostages taken by Hamas.
In that attack, over 1,200 lives were lost with around 251 individuals taken hostage. A previous ceasefire saw the release of over 100 hostages. Furthermore, Israeli forces managed to free eight hostages and reclaim several remains before the present ceasefire was reached. During the initial phase, spanning six weeks, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight more, receiving nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Israeli forces largely withdrew from Gaza and allowed humanitarian aid to flow in, despite mutual accusations of violations.
The second phase of the agreement poses far greater challenges, requiring Israel to decide between retrieving the remaining hostages and its ambition to dismantle Hamas’s control—two primary objectives set by Netanyahu. While Hamas asserts its willingness to release the remaining hostages if Israel terminates hostilities, suggesting a willingness to relinquish formal power, this implies them retaining significant influence over the territory.
The newly proposed plan seemingly benefits Israel, as Hamas is reported to hold 59 remaining hostages, 35 of whom are presumed deceased. The Witkoff proposal suggests freeing half the hostages on the commencement day without acquiring new concessions. Negotiations over the following six weeks, encompassing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover, aim to secure a permanent ceasefire and the return of the other hostages. However, with a reduced hostage count, Hamas’s negotiating strength may diminish, and both Israel and the United States have introduced fresh conditions that were absent from the initial agreement.
Politically, this proposal could provide a lifeline for Netanyahu, whose tenuous coalition includes far-right allies desiring the extermination of Hamas and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to withdraw his support if Netanyahu proceeds with the second phase of the prior agreement without reigniting the conflict. The current proposal offers Netanyahu a six-week reprieve to focus on passing a budget, crucial to avoiding his government from dissolving and triggering early elections.
The U.S. stance remains somewhat uncertain. While Netanyahu claims full cooperation with the Trump administration, public affirmations from Witkoff are lacking. Trump has sent mixed messages regarding Gaza, having initially promised to end Middle Eastern conflicts but also expressing disgust at Hamas’s treatment of captives, hinting at severe repercussions if hostages are not returned promptly, albeit leaving the decision ultimately to Israel.
Meanwhile, Trump floated the proposal of relocating Gaza’s population to rebuild it as a tourist hub, an idea rejected by Palestinians and Arab countries, citing potential breaches of international law. This contentious proposal would ostensibly require a resumed war to achieve. Conversely, Egypt has presented a counterproposal likely to gain endorsement during an Arab summit in Cairo, advocating for Palestinians to settle in “safe zones” within Gaza during reconstruction, with Hamas transitioning control to a Palestine Authority-backed governance.
Nevertheless, Israel’s rejection of any role for the Palestinian Authority in a postwar Gaza suggests resistance to such a plan. While Trump has suggested the development of an Arab-led proposal, acceptance remains uncertain.
