White House envoy Steve Witkoff has presented a new US proposal for extending the Gaza ceasefire by several weeks in exchange for additional hostage releases and resuming humanitarian aid to Gaza. The proposal aims to buy time for negotiations and prevent the resumption of the war during Ramadan and Passover.
The ceasefire expired on March 1, but fighting has not resumed. Israel has cut off aid to Gaza to pressure Hamas into a deal to release more hostages. There are currently 59 hostages held by Hamas, with US officials estimating that 22 are still alive, including American Edan Alexander.
Witkoff met with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as well as Israeli negotiators, in Doha on Tuesday night. He also discussed the proposal with the prime minister of Qatar and foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The updated proposal calls for Hamas to release at least five live hostages and the remains of around nine deceased hostages within the first day of the extended ceasefire. If a long-term truce is negotiated, the remaining hostages would be released on the last day of the extension.
Israel has agreed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases, but Hamas has refused to accept this proposal. The US and Qatari and Egyptian mediators are waiting for Hamas’ response.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/us-gaza-ceasefire-proposal-israel-hamas