Witkoff presents Israel new deal proposal with one fewer live hostage, source tells 'Post'
Nine living hostages and 18 hostage bodies would be released for a 60-day ceasefire, minor IDF withdrawal, and aid distribution changes.
US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff haspresented Israel and Hamas with a modified version of his outline for a partial hostage release-ceasefire deal, a source told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
According to the source, his modified proposal would include the release of nine living hostages, one less than the previous version, referred to by Israel as the "Witkoff outline." The hostage release would take place in two rounds.
The proposal included four additional key points.
The first point is the release of 18 deceased hostages alongside the nine living ones. It was not specified when the bodies would be released. This means that in total, the proposal would see the release of 27 out of the remaining 58 hostages still in Gaza.
Additionally, both sides would agree to a 60-day ceasefire. The proposal clarifies that at the end of this period, Israel can resume fighting if it wishes, or extend the ceasefire if meaningful negotiations have been ongoing.
Finally, the IDF would withdraw from recently captured areas in theGaza Strip, and the distribution of humanitarian aid would return to the United Nations.
Notably, this would replace aid distribution through centers within the Gaza Strip by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is being facilitated by American volunteers.
The aid division stipulation indicates that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is the driving factor behind the new proposal.
Before Witkoff's new proposal, Hamas falsely claimed on Wednesday that it had agreed to the previous version.
A source toldThe Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that 'Hamas's attempt to use the 'Witkoff framework' as a branded concept to promote their own vision will not succeed.'
The new proposal is based on discussions held in Washington in recent days between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Witkoff, as well as talks conducted by Bishara Bahbah in Qatar with senior Hamas officials.
The main point of contention between the parties is what will happen on the final day of the ceasefire if no further agreement is reached.
This is a developing story.
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