Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled acceptance of a plan developed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. This campaign aims to negotiate a ceasefire from Hamas. This monumental shift against a longstanding backdrop of escalating hostilities and humanitarian crisis within the territory comes while tensions continue to rise. According to one Israeli official, the plan includes a broad sketch for how hostages will be released. It further demands an immediate ceasefire.
The draft stipulates ten of the living hostages be released in exchange for the remains of eighteen dead. Furthermore, it provides for a 60-day truce, which gives room for deeper negotiations and relief to embattled civilians. Netanyahu delivered this encouraging message while meeting with families of hostages, bringing them a glimmer of hope while the promising but difficult-driven process clearly unfolds.
As at least one U.S. official confirmed to us, Steve Witkoff’s proposal has never been directly negotiated with Hamas. Advocacy around the need for a ceasefire is a hive of activity. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt The Hill assured us that these discussions were real and happening. She confirmed that Israel has accepted the proposal, which would be a major turning point in the current conflict.
According to the Times of Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid has been pushing Netanyahu to support the ceasefire deal publicly and immediately. Lapid’s call for donors to move beyond immediate rescue and response as the conflict rages on highlights the dire need for action from those fighting the current crisis.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has gone all-out against the proposal, calling it “sheer madness.” Smotrich took to social media to emphasize his stance, declaring, “I will not allow such a thing to happen. Period.” His comments exemplify the deep fissures in Israeli politics over how to negotiate with Hamas and the strategy that should be pursued.
Meanwhile, Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah reportedly engaged with Hamas in Doha concerning the proposal, as per sources familiar with the discussions. This interaction highlights the complexity of negotiations involving various stakeholders and their influence on the outcomes.
Hamas has stated that they are “responsibly studying it in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire.” However, taken together, this statement reflects that they are at least thinking in the direction of the proposal. They should introduce stipulations or amendments before coming to any deal.
