New US proposal for ceasefire in Gaza: 60-day pause, prisoner exchange, and withdrawal of Israeli army

(Patria) - The United States has presented a new proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, aiming to halt the nearly nine-month conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. According to a document seen by the Associated Press, the proposal envisages a suspension of military operations for 60 days, with a series of concrete measures intended to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and pave the way for a more lasting peace.

During this period, Hamas would be obliged to release all living Israeli hostages and hand over the bodies of deceased hostages. In return, Israel would withdraw its army from most areas in Gaza and station it in a so-called “buffer zone” along the borders of the Gaza Strip, including the border with Egypt.

In addition, the plan provides for a significant increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, medicine, and other essential supplies, which have been difficult to access for the population for months, especially in the northern part of the territory. Part of the agreement also includes the release of a certain number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, although the exact number has not yet been determined.

One of the still unresolved issues is the status of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a joint US-Israeli initiative involved in aid distribution. This organization is controversial, as during its work so far, there have been several incidents in which dozens of Palestinians were killed, causing strong criticism.

It is important to note that this proposal does not guarantee a permanent end to the war – which is Hamas’s key demand. However, the document states that intensive negotiations on a permanent ceasefire would continue during the 60 days of peace.

US President Donald Trump is personally involved in this initiative and is said to guarantee that Israel will respect the proposed suspension of operations. Trump, according to the proposal, has announced that he will personally announce the achievement of the agreement, sending a strong signal of trust to all parties, especially Hamas, which doubts the consistency of the Israeli side. During previous ceasefires, fighting resumed after breakdowns in negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Israeli security cabinet has approved an increase in the amount of aid for northern Gaza, where the population’s needs are most acute and aid has been very limited so far. The closest point for aid distribution remains in the Netzarim corridor, south of Gaza City, which separates the northern and southern parts of the territory.

Although a final agreement has not yet been reached, this proposal represents the most concrete progress in months of attempts to create a basis for a broader and longer-term peace in the region. Hamas has signaled its readiness to consider the proposal but has requested additional amendments, the content of which is not yet known.

The development of the situation in the coming days could be crucial for the fate of the population of Gaza, as well as for the stability of the wider Middle East.