U.S. Ceasefire Plan Seeks 60-Day Gaza Truce, Hostage Deal as Hamas Weighs Terms

A new U.S. ceasefire proposal, led by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to secure a 60-day truce in Gaza, with Israel tentatively approving the plan while Hamas remains hesitant. Detailed by Al Arabiya today, the framework calls for Hamas to release 28 Israeli hostages, 10 alive and 18 deceased, in two phases: five living hostages and nine bodies on Day 1, and an identical release on Day 7. In exchange, Israel would free 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 Gazan detainees, and return 180 bodies, with exchanges conducted privately to avoid public spectacles. President Trump has pledged to personally guarantee Israel’s compliance, with the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar acting as mediators to ensure adherence.

Humanitarian aid, would continue to flow into Gaza immediately upon Hamas’s acceptance. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would halt operations, including airstrikes and drone surveillance, for 10 hours daily, extending to 12 hours on exchange days. The IDF would withdraw from northern Gaza and the Netzarim Corridor on Day 1, and from southern Gaza by Day 7, with final positions negotiated via the “Korbi D” mechanism. Multilateral talks, starting Day 1, would tackle a full hostage-prisoner swap, complete IDF withdrawal, Gaza’s post-war governance, and a permanent ceasefire, with Witkoff overseeing negotiations.

Hamas, wary of losing leverage, demands U.S. assurances that the ceasefire extends if talks falter, fearing Israel’s resumption of operations as seen in March 2025. A Hamas source was quoted saying the deal “leaves Hamas without leverage.” Despite this, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya announced a review of the proposal, with a press conference scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on May 29.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meeting hostage families, affirmed support but stressed, “We don’t believe Hamas will return the last hostage,” vowing to eliminate Hamas and secure all 58 remaining hostages, 22 believed alive. An information clause requires Hamas to provide hostage status by Day 10, with Israel disclosing detainee details. If no permanent deal is reached, Israel reserves the right to resume fighting, raising stakes for both sides.