US Proposes 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire with Hostage-Prisoner Swap, Humanitarian Relief

The United States has unveiled a comprehensive proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, with a detailed hostage-prisoner exchange and a promise of immediate humanitarian aid delivery to the war-ravaged enclave. The plan, seen by Reuters, has reportedly been accepted by Israel, while Hamas is currently reviewing its terms.

The plan, said to be backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, along with key regional mediators Egypt and Qatar, aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflict and lay the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire.

Key Provisions of the Proposal

• 28 Israeli hostages — alive and deceased — will be released in the first week.
• In exchange, 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 Palestinians will be freed by Israel.
• The United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other agreed-upon humanitarian agencies will oversee the delivery of aid to Gaza immediately after Hamas signs the agreement.
• A full cessation of Israeli military operations is to begin with the truce.
• Redeployment of Israeli troops will occur in phases.
• Hamas is expected to release the remaining 30 Israeli hostages upon implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

Netanyahu Backs Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed families of the remaining hostages that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire framework. The White House confirmed Israel’s acceptance of the U.S.-led initiative on Thursday.

Hamas Reviewing Terms

A Hamas spokesperson told Reuters that the group is carefully evaluating the offer and will issue a response by Friday or Saturday. However, senior official Sami Abu Zuhri criticized the proposal, saying it largely reflects Israeli positions without securing firm commitments to end the war, withdraw troops, or guarantee sustained aid flow — all of which are core Hamas demands.

War Background and Toll

The latest hostilities began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken into Gaza. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive, which has since killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and left the territory in ruins.

Rising Global Pressure

Israel is under mounting pressure from international allies, including European nations, to end the war. Even traditionally pro-Israel states have begun openly calling for a ceasefire and urgent humanitarian relief efforts.

Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, stated that Washington is nearing the release of a new ceasefire “term sheet”, expressing optimism about a long-term peaceful resolution.

“I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution… a peaceful resolution of that conflict,” Witkoff told reporters Wednesday.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Amid the ceasefire negotiations, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — a U.S.-backed and Israeli-approved private initiative — has expanded food distribution to a third site in Gaza. While GHF claims to have supplied 1.8 million meals, aid organizations and the UN have slammed the effort as inadequate and chaotic, citing scenes of mass disorder and hunger-driven stampedes.

The foundation’s efforts come as the 11-week Israeli blockade has left over 2 million Palestinians on the brink of famine.