With Gaza ceasefire stalled, Israel pushes new plan on Hamas

Israel has introduced a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, referred to as the “Witkoff proposal,” aiming to pressure Hamas into compliance by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed this plan to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, though official confirmation from the White House remains pending.

This development follows the conclusion of the first phase of a previously negotiated ceasefire, with uncertainty looming over subsequent steps due to the absence of a finalized second phase. The new proposal stipulates that Hamas release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and a commitment to negotiate a permanent truce. Notably, this plan does not include provisions for Israel to release additional Palestinian prisoners, a significant element of the initial agreement.

Hamas has accused Israel of attempting to undermine the existing agreement, which outlined negotiations for the return of all hostages in exchange for further Palestinian prisoner releases, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a lasting ceasefire. However, substantive negotiations on these terms have yet to occur.

In response to Hamas’s reluctance to accept the new proposal, Israel has halted all supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, to Gaza’s approximately 2 million residents and has warned of additional consequences if Hamas does not comply.

Concurrently, Arab leaders are formulating an alternative plan for postwar Gaza, aiming to counter President Trump’s controversial suggestion of relocating Gaza’s population to transform the area into a tourist destination. The Egyptian proposal envisions Gaza being governed by an interim body controlled by Arab, Muslim, and Western states, effectively sidelining Hamas. This plan is expected to be presented at an upcoming Arab League summit.

The original ceasefire agreement, reached in January after extensive negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, outlined a three-phase plan to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and to end the ensuing conflict. During the initial six-week phase, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces withdrew from most of Gaza, allowing for an influx of humanitarian aid, despite mutual accusations of violations. citeturn0news33

The second phase presents greater challenges, as it requires Israel to balance its objectives of securing the return of hostages and dismantling Hamas. Hamas has stated it will only release the remaining hostages if Israel ends the war, a move that could leave the militant group with significant influence over Gaza, even if it relinquishes formal power.

Under the Witkoff proposal, Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages on the first day, seemingly without receiving any new concessions. This would initiate a six-week period, encompassing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover, to negotiate a permanent ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages. However, with fewer hostages as leverage, Hamas’s negotiating position would be weakened, and Israel, along with the United States, is already discussing new conditions, such as the disarmament of Hamas or the exile of its leadership, which were not part of the original agreement.

Politically, this plan provides Netanyahu with a six-week reprieve, allowing time to pass a budget by month’s end, a necessary step to prevent his government’s automatic dissolution. Failure to do so could trigger early elections, potentially jeopardizing his hold on power. Opposition parties have indicated they would support a deal that ensures the return of the remaining hostages, though this could still weaken Netanyahu’s political standing.

The U.S. stance on the new proposal remains ambiguous. While Netanyahu asserts that his approach is fully coordinated with the Trump administration, which has publicly endorsed Israel’s goal of eradicating Hamas, envoy Steve Witkoff has not publicly commented on the plan attributed to him. President Trump has sent mixed signals regarding Gaza, expressing a desire to end Middle East conflicts while also condemning Hamas’s treatment of captives and suggesting severe repercussions if they are not released promptly, leaving the final decision to Israel.