A ceasefire proposal for Gaza which has been created by the US presents a plan for a two-month truce with Hamas in which 28 Israeli hostages would be released in return for 1,236 Palestinian detainees as well as 180 Palestinian remains.
The proposal involves the swift delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the UN and Red Crescent, Middle East Eye via Reuters reported on May 30th.
Middle East Eye reported on May 29th that Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to authorize this truce deal. Lapid stated on X: “Israel must publicly and immediately accept the outline published this morning by American mediator Steve Witkoff.”
US President Donald Trump would reportedly certify a ceasefire within 60 days as part of the agreement. According to Al Jazeera on May 30th, the deal would ensure Israeli troop withdrawal. Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy of the Trump administration, later rejected that these were the conditions of any offer he made, telling Reuters it was “completely unacceptable.”
An unnamed US official also dismissed the assertion, telling Al Jazeera it was “inaccurate” and “disappointing.” Israel also denied the allegation, with one anonymous official calling it “psychological warfare” and “propaganda.”
Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18th, following the end of a six-week ceasefire. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the fighting had recommenced with “full force.”
On May 29th, the White House declared that Israel has agreed to the proposal. Reportedly, Netanyahu told the families of captives about the deal. The Palestinian militant group had said it is assessing the terms of the proposal.
Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim told the Reuters news agency that the deal “does not meet any of our people’s demands, foremost among them, halting the war.”
Basem Naim, a Hamas political bureau member, made a statement to Reuters. He stated the deal “does not meet any of our people’s demands, foremost among them, halting the war.” Naim also said: “Nonetheless, the movement’s leadership is studying the response to the proposal with full national responsibility.”
Akiva Eldar, an Israeli political expert, said it was “unusual” for Israel to accept a plan first. Eldar said Netanyahu might hope Hamas rejects it, so he can label them the “bad guys” and continue military actions. Eldar declared: “It happened before… and Netanyahu put the blame on them.”
Middle East Eye, Reuters, Al Jazeera
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