(VOVWORLD) -The Trump Administration on Tuesday revealed a new proposal to achieve a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, paving the way for a long-term ceasefire agreement.
The proposal would see the release of half of the living hostages and half of those who have died in exchange for a temporary ceasefire before negotiations begin for a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict, said US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“That deal is on the table. Hamas should take it,” he added. He declined to specify how long that temporary truce would last, which has been a key issue in the negotiations. Witkoff’s comments mark the first time he has said the US would preside over negotiations for an end to the conflict during the temporary ceasefire.
The move is considered the US’s commitment to ensure that all related parties are serious about ending the conflict. Neither Israel nor Hamas has issued a response.
The Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is approaching its 18th month, and has resulted in devastating humanitarian crises. According to United Nations data, more than 53,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023. Only about 2% of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents have received humanitarian aid in recent days.