U.S. Plan for Gaza Proposes 60-Day Ceasefire, Hostage and Prisoner Exchange

Gaza/Washington, May 31, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A U.S.-brokered plan for Gaza, seen by Reuters on Friday, proposes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 28 Israeli hostages, alive and dead, within the first week, in exchange for the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 dead Palestinians.

The document indicates that the plan is guaranteed by U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators Egypt and Qatar, and includes provisions for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza upon Hamas signing the ceasefire agreement. The aid is to be delivered through the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other approved channels.

On Thursday, the White House announced that Israel had agreed to the U.S. ceasefire proposal. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the families of Israeli hostages that the government had accepted the deal presented by President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

A spokesperson for Hamas told Reuters that the group was reviewing the plan and would issue a response on Friday or Saturday.

Under the plan, Hamas would release the final 30 of the remaining 68 Israeli hostages upon the establishment of a permanent ceasefire. Israel would also halt all military operations in Gaza once the truce comes into effect, with Israeli forces redeploying in stages.

Previous efforts to restore a ceasefire have stalled amid deep differences between the parties. Israel has insisted that Hamas completely disarm, dismantle its military and governing structures, and release all 58 hostages still held in Gaza before agreeing to end the war. Hamas has rejected those demands, insisting that Israel withdraw its troops and commit to ending the war.

Israel launched its Gaza campaign in response to the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 Israelis were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. The subsequent Israeli offensive has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, leaving much of the enclave in ruins.

Mounting Pressure

Israel is facing increasing international pressure to end the war, with several European nations now openly calling for a ceasefire and the launch of a major humanitarian relief effort.

Speaking on Wednesday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington was close to issuing a new ceasefire framework. “I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution, a temporary ceasefire, and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Witkoff said.

The proposed 60-day ceasefire may be extended if negotiations for a permanent ceasefire are not concluded within that period, the plan indicates.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Thursday that the terms of the proposal largely reflected Israel’s position and did not guarantee an end to the war, withdrawal of Israeli troops, or unrestricted humanitarian access, as Hamas has demanded.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a private group backed by the United States and endorsed by Israel—expanded its aid distribution to a third site in Gaza on Thursday. The initiative has drawn criticism from the United Nations and other aid organizations, which have deemed it inadequate and flawed.

The U.N. has warned that 2 million people in Gaza are at risk of famine following an 11-week blockade on aid. GHF began distributing food this week but encountered chaotic scenes on Tuesday as thousands of Palestinians surged at distribution points, forcing private security to retreat.

Despite the difficulties, GHF has so far distributed about 1.8 million meals and plans to expand its operations in the coming weeks.