Israel Accepts New US Proposal For Ceasefire With Hamas

Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, aimed at ending ongoing hostilities with Hamas. According to an Israeli official, the proposal includes the release of 10 living hostages and 18 deceased hostages, along with a 60-day truce. However, negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict remain unresolved.

The White House is optimistic about the proposal, which President Donald Trump hopes will bring an end to the war that has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian and more than 1,600 Israeli deaths. Over the past two weeks, Witkoff has engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah.

While Israel has accepted the proposal, Hamas is still reviewing it. The group stated it is studying the proposal to ensure it serves the interests of their people and achieves a lasting ceasefire. Despite the acceptance of the ceasefire terms, further negotiations are needed to finalize details, including the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The new proposal comes after weeks of stalled talks and ongoing military operations in Gaza. It is seen as a potential breakthrough, though the parties must still agree on specific details to ensure a lasting peace.