JERUSALEM – On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington to confer with U.S. President Donald Trump, who advocates for a ceasefire potentially concluding the 21-month conflict in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas are evaluating a new ceasefire proposal backed by the U.S. that intends to halt the war, release Israeli hostages, and deliver desperately needed aid to Gaza. This initiative also seeks to initiate broader discussions to resolve the conflict.
Talks have repeatedly encountered obstacles as Hamas demands an end to the conflict and Israel’s total withdrawal from Gaza, whereas Israel insists on Hamas’ surrender and disarmament as conditions for ceasing the war.
While the final details have yet to be agreed to by the sides, The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposal sent by mediators to Hamas.
Here is a look at how the truce might look, according to that draft:
— The truce would last 60 days.
— 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 would be released in phases throughout the truce.
— Palestinian prisoners held by Israel will be released in exchange for the hostages, although precise numbers were not detailed.
— Humanitarian aid entering Gaza would be ramped up significantly and would be distributed by the United Nations. The proposal makes no mention of the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
— Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt. Israel has seized large swaths of the territory since ending a previous ceasefire in March.
— On the first day of the truce, the sides are expected to begin negotiations toward an end to the war, but no timeline is mentioned.
— The mediators — the U.S., Egypt and Qatar — will serve as guarantors to make sure the sides negotiate in good faith.
— While there is no guarantee the war would end, the proposal states that Trump insists the talks during the truce “would lead to a permanent resolution of the conflict.”
— If the negotiations toward ending the war are not complete after 60 days, the ceasefire may be extended.
— The proposal says Trump will personally announce the ceasefire deal once it is reached.
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