Israel is set to accept the proposal from US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during the Ramadan and Passover periods, as stated by the prime minister’s office.
This announcement came just hours before the initial phase of the previously established ceasefire was slated to end.
According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, on the first day of Mr. Witkoff’s proposal, half of the hostages currently held in Gaza, both alive and deceased, will be released, with the remaining hostages to be freed following the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
Mr. Witkoff proposed the extension of the existing ceasefire after recognizing that additional time was necessary for negotiations regarding a permanent solution, as mentioned by Mr. Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel would promptly engage in talks regarding Mr. Witkoff’s plan, contingent upon Hamas’s agreement.
“Per the agreement, Israel can resume hostilities after the 42nd day if it deems the negotiations to be unproductive,” Netanyahu’s office also noted, accusing Hamas of breaching the terms. Both parties have been exchanging accusations over violations of the agreement.
According to two Palestinian officials familiar with the negotiations, Israel has declined to proceed with the second phase of the agreement or to initiate discussions about it.
Instead, Israel has demanded an extension of the first phase, contingent upon the transfer of a number of live prisoners and bodies for each week of extension granted.
Conversely, Hamas has rejected this and maintained that it will adhere to the agreement, insisting on entering the second phase and holding Israel to its commitments.
Hamas’s military wing released a video yesterday showcasing Israeli hostages still in their custody in Gaza, emphasizing that the remaining hostages can only be released through a swap deal as outlined in the phased ceasefire agreement that commenced on January 19.
The ceasefire agreement put an end to 15 months of conflict, enabling the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
This arrangement was intended to facilitate subsequent discussions to build upon the ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire discussions have been ongoing, most recently in Cairo, but have yet to result in a formal agreement.
