Media: US pressures Israel to accept new Gaza truce proposal

The United States has informed mediators that it will exert pressure on Israel to accept a newly proposed truce agreement with Hamas, according to sources cited by Al Arabiya.

The move comes as negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar push to finalize a deal before the end of April, Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Arabiya.

Mediators are reportedly in the penultimate stage of drafting a comprehensive ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The proposed deal includes a two-phase prisoner release plan with set timetables, arrangements for humanitarian aid deliveries, and mechanisms for reopening Gaza’s border crossings.

Al Arabiya sources added that discussions on the future presence of Hamas leaders in Gaza have been postponed until a later stage in the negotiations.

The developments follow a high-level meeting in Jerusalem between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new CIA Director John Ratcliffe on April 9. According to a statement from Netanyahu's office, the two discussed efforts to secure the release of additional Israeli prisoners held by Hamas.

The renewed talks build upon the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the first phase of which came into effect on January 19. That truce lasted until March 18, when Israel resumed intensive military operations in Gaza.

During the earlier ceasefire, 33 Israeli prisoners were released—eight of whom were later reported killed—in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinians freed from Israeli custody.

Negotiators are now racing against time to lock in a new agreement as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate and pressure mounts for a diplomatic breakthrough.

By Khagan Isayev