Trump's envoy comes up with new proposal for Israel-Hamas hostage release, ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has presented a revised proposal to both Israel and Hamas aimed at securing the release of hostages and achieving a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Under the plan, Hamas would release nine living hostages and the remains of 18 others in two separate phases over the course of a week—one fewer live hostage than in the previous outline, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

In return, Israel would commit to a 60-day ceasefire, during which negotiations would continue in pursuit of a permanent end to hostilities. If no agreement is reached by the end of the period, Israel would retain the option to resume military operations or extend the truce in exchange for the release of additional hostages.

Witkoff also announced that the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which had temporarily been managed by an American company, will once again be handled by the United Nations. Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw from areas occupied since the launch of Operation "Might and Sword."

Significant Israeli pressure has reportedly been exerted over the past 24 hours to influence the final wording of the clause concerning the end of the war. Meanwhile, Hamas has been pressing just as forcefully on its own terms and issued an official statement claiming it had reached preliminary agreements with Witkoff.

Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that they were optimistic that a deal could soon be reached. They pointed to consistent messaging from Washington to Israeli officials, as well as the mounting military pressure on Hamas in Gaza, as key factors driving progress.

“Hamas is under more pressure than ever before—bordering on panic,” one source said. “They are not only losing territory but also humanitarian aid, and with it, the support of the population.”

By Khagan Isayev