Israel agrees to US-backed ceasefire plan; Hamas reviewing offer

June 03, 2025, 11:43:50 pm

According to the White House, Israel has accepted a new US-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas that could potentially halt the devastating war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, while Hamas has confirmed it received the proposal and is "reviewing it responsibly" to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The US-brokered proposal outlines a 60-day ceasefire during which all Israeli offensive operations in Gaza would be suspended, with the possibility of extending to 70 days according to some sources. Under the plan, Israel would withdraw from northern Gaza and the Netzarim Corridor on the first day, followed by a pullback from southern Gaza by day seven.[3] The agreement includes a phased exchange of captives, with Hamas releasing 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 deceased captives in two batches, while Israel would free 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 Gazan detainees, and return 180 bodies. President Trump has personally pledged to guarantee Israel's compliance, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar serving as mediators to ensure adherence to the terms.

If no permanent agreement is reached by the end of the 60-day period, Israel would have the option to either resume fighting or extend the ceasefire in exchange for additional hostage releases. The deal also includes provisions for expanded humanitarian aid through UN channels and multilateral talks beginning on day one to address a complete hostage-prisoner swap, full IDF withdrawal, Gaza's post-war governance, and the framework for a permanent ceasefire.

Hostage Release Terms
The initial phase of the hostage release would see Hamas free 10 living hostages and return the remains of 18 deceased captives in two stages, with priority given to women, children, elderly, and wounded individuals.[1][2] By the tenth day, Hamas would be required to provide a complete list with detailed medical reports on all remaining living hostages.[1] For the remaining 58 hostages still held in Gaza, their fate would depend on negotiations during the ceasefire period. If an agreement on ending the war is reached, all remaining hostages—both living and deceased—would be released; if not, Israel retains the option to resume military operations or extend the ceasefire in exchange for additional releases.

The selection process for which hostages would be included in the initial release has caused significant concern among families, with Israeli officials acknowledging it as a "cruel decision" that could "tear families apart." While Israel has requested prioritization of humanitarian cases, officials admit that after more than 600 days in captivity, "everyone is already considered humanitarian." The deal's second phase would focus on younger male hostages, both civilian and military personnel, while the third phase would complete the exchange of remains and initiate Gaza's reconstruction.

Hamas Response Timeline
Hamas initially received the ceasefire proposal in early June 2024, responding on June 12 with what it described as a "responsible, serious and positive" answer that opened a "wide pathway" to an agreement. However, an Israeli official claimed Hamas had "changed all of the main and most meaningful parameters" of the proposal, effectively rejecting it. Hamas insisted its amendments were necessary to ensure a permanent end to hostilities and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, rather than just a temporary pause.

More recently, in May 2025, the White House confirmed that a new 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal backed by Israel has been submitted to Hamas, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that "Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas." Hamas acknowledged receiving this latest proposal and indicated it is "reviewing it responsibly to serve the interests of our people." A source familiar with the negotiations suggested that a deal is close, with Hamas's response to be transmitted directly to President Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff once received.