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Middle East Eye
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Hamas is studying another US ceasefire proposal for Gaza. What has changed?
Hamas said on Thursday it was studying a Gaza ceasefire proposal by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which Israel announced it had accepted, as starvation stalks the enclave and Israel ramps up its air strikes. "The leadership of the Hamas movement has received Witkoff's new proposal from the mediators and is currently studying it responsibly, in a manner that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,' Hamas said. Witkoff sounded an optimistic note speaking at the White House on Wednesday, saying, 'I have some very good feelings about getting to… a temporary ceasefire and a long-term, peaceful resolution of that conflict.' US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a new ceasefire proposal from Witkoff, but added that Hamas had not yet accepted. However, reports that Israel and Hamas were nearing an agreement have occurred regularly throughout the 18 months of war, only to wither a few days later. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Hamas and Israel reached a brief three-stage ceasefire in January, but the deal collapsed in March after Israel took back several of its captives and resumed bombing Gaza, walking away from the deal before talks with Hamas on a permanent end to the war could start. While the Trump administration has broken with Israel on bombing the Houthis, negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, and lifting sanctions on Syria, it has given Israel full backing to wage war on Gaza. What we know about Witkoff's proposal According to Axios, the latest Witkoff proposal is similar to the one Israel broke in March. It calls for the release of captives in return for 60 days of no fighting. The deal would set a timeline for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiating a permanent end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops. Several factors have changed since then, but it's unclear how they might impact the talks. In May, the Trump administration began to rely on a new intermediary with Hamas, Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. Bishara Bahbah, new US intermediary to Hamas The national chairman for Arab Americans for Trump established a backchannel for Hamas directly to the Trump administration that led to the release of US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander from captivity earlier this month. Mercenary firm set to oversee Gaza aid for Israel goes on LinkedIn hiring spree Read More » Despite the new diplomatic shake-up, the main roadblock to a deal has not changed. Hamas wants a guarantee that, in return for returning the 20 captives believed to be alive, Israel will agree to a permanent end to the war. Israeli media reported on Thursday that Netanyahu was prepared to move forward with a temporary truce. Netanyahu has regularly insisted on the right to resume fighting and has pledged to totally disarm and eliminate Hamas. Speaking in May, Netanyahu said for the first time that one of his conditions for ending the war was the right to enact a plan floated earlier this year by Trump, which called for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Will Israel agree to a permanent ceasefire? Israel did withdraw from some points in Gaza in January and February, but it has established the Netzarim Corridor to deploy troops from east to west of Gaza quickly. Hamas is unlikely to forget that Israel quickly reoccupied the enclave in March with little public pressure not to from the US, or Egypt and Qatar, the two Arab mediators. Israel's military said on Monday it wants to control 75 percent of Gaza and force roughly two million Palestinians there into a narrow zone in the south near the Egyptian border. What's inside the boxes of aid being distributed in Gaza? Read More » There was some confusion on Monday after media reports said that Hamas had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposed by Witkoff, only for Israel to deny the offer was on the table. Talks are ongoing as Gaza descends into anarchy and starvation. Israel has been blockading the entry of all food, water, and medicine into the enclave until recently. The US and Israel established a controversial organisation in May dubbed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute aid. Its aid centre in Rafah, staffed by American mercenaries, was overrun with thousands of starving Palestinians. The Israeli military opened fire on the crowd, and images on social media showed Palestinians boxed into narrow fences to obtain aid. The foundation has been slammed by the UN and other aid groups for militarising aid. On Wednesday, four Palestinians died storming a UN warehouse in search of food. At least 44 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza on Thursday. The total death toll since the war began in October 2023 has surpassed 54,000.
Days of Palestine
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Envoy Witkoff optimistic for Gaza truce and lasting peace
DaysofPal- The White House has expressed optimism that a new ceasefire proposal drafted by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, could bring an end to the war in Gaza, according to a report by Axios citing three sources directly involved in the ongoing negotiations. 'If each side moves just a bit, we could have a deal within days,' one source told the outlet, suggesting that momentum toward a potential agreement may be building after months of bloodshed and stalled diplomacy. On Tuesday night, Hamas announced it had reached a preliminary understanding with Witkoff on a framework for a permanent ceasefire. The group stated that the agreement includes a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, two key Palestinian demands. Shortly thereafter, Witkoff appeared with President Trump in the Oval Office, revealing that he had finalized 'a new term sheet' for the president's review and approval. 'I have some very good feelings about getting to a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict,' Witkoff said, echoing the administration's desire for a breakthrough. Witkoff has reportedly engaged in negotiations with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his senior adviser Ron Dermer while maintaining a communication channel with Hamas leaders in Doha through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. Despite recent hardline rhetoric from Israeli officials, signs of movement have emerged. On Wednesday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) reported a 'positive development' in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with the potential for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Israeli media cited a government source who revealed that Witkoff's proposal includes the release of nine live Israeli detainees and 18 corpses in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. In order to guarantee a lasting cessation of the war, the plan also provides for future negotiations. If talks fail, the proposal allows Israel to either resume military operations or continue discussions for the release of more detainees. Under the new framework, humanitarian aid would once again be delivered under United Nations supervision. The Israeli military would also be required to withdraw from areas it occupied during Operation Sword and Shield. Israel estimates that 58 of its citizens are still held captive in Gaza, with only 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, over 10,100 Palestinians are currently imprisoned by Israel. Rights groups have reported widespread torture, starvation, and medical neglect within Israeli detention facilities, conditions that have resulted in numerous deaths. Domestically, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from opposition figures and the families of hostages. Critics accuse him of prolonging the war to appease the most extreme elements of his governing coalition and to safeguard his political survival. Netanyahu is currently facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a relentless genocide in Gaza with full support from the United States. The offensive has killed or injured more than 177,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of them women and children. Over 11,000 remain missing under the rubble, according to Palestinian and international humanitarian organizations. Shortlink for this post:
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First Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
US to send new proposal to Israel & Hamas for Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal
US Middle East Envoy Steve Wifkoff has said he will soon submit a new proposal to Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages. The announcement comes shortly after Hamas said it had reached an understanding regarding a deal with Witkoff. read more Palestinians walk surrounded by the rubble of destroyed homes and building in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, March 7, 2025. Image- AP Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to Middle East, will submit a new proposal to Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages. The development comes shortly after Hamas said that it has reached an understanding with Witkoff a 'general framework' of a ceasefire-hostage release deal. Israel was quick to dismiss the statement. However, Witkoff said he had 'very good feelings' about reaching a deal soon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We're on the precipice of sending out a new term sheet that hopefully will be delivered later today. The president is going to review it. I have some very good feelings about getting to…a temporary ceasefire and a long-term, peaceful resolution of that conflict,' said Witkoff on Wednesday. After resuming the war in March, Israel has declared that it plans to control the vast majority of the strip and work towards realising US President Donald Trump's plan that would involve the expulsion of all Palestinians and the US takeover of the strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn flak for prioritising the annexation of Gaza over the return of hostages — 20 of 58 people still in captivity in Gaza are believed to be alive. US proposal based on direct talks with Israel & Hamas: Report Witkoff's latest proposal is based on his talks with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Washington DC and Bishara Bahbah's talks with senior Hamas officials in Qatar in recent days, according to The Jerusalem Post. Bahbah is a Palestinian-American activist who has been tapped by the Trump administration to hold talks with Hamas and Arabs. Despite Witkoff's optimism, a source told The Post that 'Hamas' attempt to use the 'Witkoff framework' as a branded concept to promote their own vision will not succeed'. Officials further said that they were not aware of any deal reached between Hamas and the United States. The newspaper reported that the main point of contention between Hamas and Israel is what happens after the expiration of any temporary ceasefire. If any temporary ceasefire expires before a final deal is reached, Hamas wants US guarantees that negotiations will continue whereas Israel says the war will resume, according to the newspaper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sources familiar with the details told the newspaper, 'There is a sense that a deal can be reached. Gaps remain, but they are bridgeable, and therefore, there is cautious optimism that the talks will conclude successfully.' Hamas hints at terms of deal In the statement on Wednesday, Hamas hinted at the terms of the deal that it could reach with Israel via Witkoff-led negotiations. 'We have reached an agreement on a general framework with Witkoff that ensures a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid,' Hamas said on Wednesday. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas said it would release of 10 living hostages and bodies of many others in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hamas further said that the agreement includes 'the establishment of a professional committee to manage Gaza's affairs once a ceasefire is declared'.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Landsman: 'I have a hard time getting the image of being shot and killed out of my head'
(Editor's note: The following is a statement released Wednesday, May 28, 2025, by Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) concerning the two Israeli Embassy staff members who were shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. last week. The statement has been edited for clarity.) Last week, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, two innocent young people were executed. For many of us, this was deeply personal and profoundly unsettling. First, let me be as honest and as personal as it gets. I have had a hard time getting the image of being shot and killed out of my head. It happens almost every time I'm in a big crowd now. More: What is the Capital Jewish Museum? What to know about site of fatal DC shooting Last Saturday at a rally back home, I decided not to have police protection. Standing in a crowd talking to constituents, I had the most vivid image: All of a sudden, I saw myself on the ground, dead from a gunshot. This is what actually happened a few days later to Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim. Anti-Israel protesters have followed me around for the past year and a half. They don't just protest. They get in my face, screaming about the "genocide" I'm causing. They threaten me and my family. "You will pay for this," they say. They slept outside our house for days. Many other Jewish members of Congress and local advocates who have also been vocal about Israel and the war deal with similar safety issues. Some members have constant police protection when they're home. We worry about being on Capitol Hill, too. Without going into specific security concerns, we know that what happened to Yaron and Sarah could happen to one of us as we move around the Capitol. We think about it every time we leave our offices, leave a committee hearing, or cross the street. To be clear, most of the protestors aren't violent. They hate the war and the suffering of innocent people. I hate the war and the suffering of innocent people. Most just want Palestinians to be safe and healthy, and to be in a position to rebuild. They want self-governance and self-determination for Palestinians. I do too. So, how does someone execute two innocent people outside of a Jewish event in D.C. about supporting humanitarian diplomacy in the Middle East? One answer is that what happened last Wednesday is similar to the outrageous murder of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child outside of Chicago in 2023. "Otherization" is very real and refers to the process of treating a person or group as different and alien, and it can lead to marginalization, exclusion and murder. The tragedy of war throughout the globe should never lead to violence against its diaspora communities. We allow people to "otherize" and demonize folks, and we forget to appreciate that it often turns violent. Everyone has to do a better job of ensuring disagreements don't lead to this disturbing and dangerous process. A second explanation has to do with blood libels, which are core to understanding antisemitism. A blood libel is a lie about Jews killing innocent people, usually children. Ancient in its form, it spreads, Jew hate follows, and usually, Jews are killed. What happened to Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, was barbaric. Kidnapping Israelis, holding them hostage in Hamas tunnels, some of whom were executed, is also barbaric. The war in Gaza against Hamas has also been awful. Hamas cannot remain in power. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians are safe with Hamas in power. But innocent Gazans have been killed in this war. It's terrible, and I want this war to end. I'll continue to push for a ceasefire that brings every hostage home and a surge in humanitarian aid. Israel has gone after Hamas, and because of the tunnels and Hamas's tactic of using civilians as human shields, innocent people and children have been killed. Israel has gone after Hezbollah in Lebanon, too, and there have been very few civilian casualties. The difference is Hamas. Hezbollah allows civilians to flee. Some people have convinced themselves that Israelis are genocidal and evil; that Jews associated with and supportive of Israel are also genocidal and evil. That's a blood libel, and it's been spreading like wildfire for 18 months. I believe it's why Yaron and Sarah were executed. The antisemitism bill that has stalled in the Senate would help. It establishes a definition that would be profoundly informative for people. It offers education and training. The bill doesn't say it's antisemitic if you criticize the policies of Israel. Israelis criticize the policies of Israel. But denying Jews self-determination is seen by some as antisemitic, including me. Denying Palestinians self-determination is anti-Palestinian. More: Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Gaza, laments 'cries' of parents of dead children President Donald Trump's actions on campuses have not helped. Some campuses have become hotbeds of antisemitism, but his actions could have a chilling effect on speech. Colleges that explained to students the difference between free speech and hate speech, and the difference between protest and chaos, and held their students accountable accordingly, did well. They protect speech and their students. It was pretty straightforward. To fight antisemitism, we should pass the antisemitism bill and have colleges work with groups like the American Jewish Committee (AJC). The AJC and similar groups partner with organizations on how to identify and combat antisemitism without infringing on anyone's First Amendment rights. I would encourage my colleagues on both sides to stop politicizing this. Our safety and well-being are at stake, and antisemitism should be a nonpartisan, noncontroversial issue. The same must be true for all forms of hate. Fighting hate should be nonpartisan and noncontroversial. Those protesting the war, even the policies of Israel, should be intentional not to slip into blood libels and violent rhetoric. That requires some learning as to what would be considered a blood libel and violent. I understand the desire for this war to end and for Gazans to be free. I hope people understand that Israelis and Jews desperately want security for themselves and their neighbors. They want peace. Either way, we should all advocate for what we believe in − and do so peacefully and without violence or hate. We should also commit ourselves to being the generation that achieves a sustainable peace in the Middle East. It's not inevitable, nor is it impossible. It's up to us and others to fight for it. U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat, represents Ohio's 1st Congressional House District and is a former Cincinnati councilman. He has traveled to Israel and the Middle East over a dozen times, including four times in his first term as a member of Congress. Landsman also worked in Israel from 2015-2020, prior to becoming a member of Congress, supporting philanthropic efforts. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Shooting at Jewish museum in DC fueled by hate, demonization | Opinion
Axios
a day ago
- Politics
- Axios
U.S. believes breakthrough is close on Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal
The White House is optimistic a new proposal from Trump envoy Steve Witkoff could help bridge the remaining gaps between Israel and Hamas and produce a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza soon, three sources involved in the negotiations tell Axios. "If each side moves just a bit, we could have a deal within days," one U.S. source said. The big picture: President Trump has made clear he wants to end a war that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians and more than 1,600 Israelis, according to the relevant authorities. But talks had been stalled for weeks, and Israel is undertaking a massive operation to flatten and occupy Gaza. The White House now believes it's within striking distance of a deal that could ultimately lead to an end to the war, though it would initially be temporary. Driving the news: Over the past two weeks, Witkoff has been negotiating with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his top adviser Ron Dermer, and with Hamas leaders in Doha through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah. On Monday, following another round of talks with Bahbah, Hamas announced it had agreed to a U.S. proposal for a deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of five live hostages on the first day and five on the last day. Israel quickly rejected the proposal. Witkoff also pushed back, telling telling Axios Hamas misrepresented the U.S. offer and the group's position was "disappointing and unacceptable." Behind the scenes: The source familiar with the talks explained that Monday's dispute stemmed from a miscommunication that led Hamas, Israel, and the U.S. to interpret the proposal under discussion differently. Despite that setback, talks resumed Tuesday in an effort to reach a compromise. Bahbah held further meetings with senior Hamas officials in Doha and Witkoff met with Netanyahu's confidant Ron Dermer in Washington, the sources said. On Wednesday, Hamas issued a statement emphasizing that it was trying to reach an agreement with Witkoff on "a general framework" involving a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, renewed humanitarian aid, and the establishment of a technocratic committee to govern Gaza. Hamas claimed that framework included the release of ten live hostages and the remains of several deceased hostages, in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners — along with guarantees from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Two hours later, Witkoff appeared alongside President Trump in the Oval Office and announced he had drafted "a new term sheet" for President Trump's approval. "I have some very good feeling about getting to a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict," Witkoff said. Between the lines: A senior Israeli official said their understanding is the new White House draft does not differ dramatically from previous versions, but includes some "wordsmithing" in an attempt to gain both Israel's and Hamas' agreement. The key changes focus on the clause regarding the guarantees Hamas wants in order to ensure that a serious negotiation on a permanent ceasefire will take place during the 60-day temporary ceasefire, and that as long as such talks are ongoing Israel won't unilaterally break the ceasefire, as it did in March. The Israeli official said the U.S. tried to find language that would give Hamas enough confidence that the temporary ceasefire would lead to a permanent one — while also allowing Israel to feel confident it was not committing in advance to ending the war. Another unresolved dispute concerns the sequence and timeline for hostage releases. Israel wants all ten live hostages released on the first day of the ceasefire, fearing Hamas might not uphold its commitments later on. Hamas, for its part, wants to release the hostages in stages to ensure Israel does not break the agreement and resume fighting before the 60-day period ends. "There's not much wiggle room left with the wording. The hope is that Hamas, under pressure, will be willing to compromise on the guarantees it's asking for, and that Prime Minister Netanyahu will agree to compromise on the timeline for releasing the hostages. The test still lies ahead," the Israeli official said. Senior Israeli officials believe one factor that could make Hamas more inclined to sign a deal is the new humanitarian aid mechanism Israel attempted to launch this week. "Hamas is very concerned that it no longer controls a large part of the humanitarian aid. If a deal is reached, aid distribution will return to the old model in which Hamas had much more control," said a senior Israeli official. What to watch: While an agreement on the principles of the deal would be a dramatic breakthrough after two months of failure, the parties would still need to negotiate further to agree on details like the names of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian prisoners who will be released, and the staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from most the Gaza Strip.
