The White House announced on Thursday that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire plan put forth by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump. This plan aims to secure the release of 58 hostages held in Gaza for over 600 days.
White House press secretary Karoline Levitt informed reporters, “Israel approved this plan before it was presented to Hamas. We continue talks hoping a ceasefire in Gaza will happen soon, allowing all hostages to return safely.”
Hamas stated that the latest proposal they examined includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages and “several bodies” in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees.
It is unclear if these details were also included in the proposal agreed to by Israel.
Following the release of Edan Alexander, the final American-Israeli hostage still alive in Hamas captivity this month, 58 hostages remain.
American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, left, was released on May 12, 2025. The bodies of four other Americans are still being held in Gaza: Itay Chen, second left, Judy and Gadi Weinstein and Omer Neutra. (Fox News)
An estimated 24 of the hostages are assessed to be alive, though Israeli reporting has suggested this number could be less.
The bodies of four American Israelis taken on Oct. 7, 2023, continue to be held captive, including Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai.
Yonat Frilling contributed to this report.
