White House envoy Steve Witkoffs plan reportedly contains guarantees for Hamas

White House envoy Steve Witkoff has presented Israel and Hamas with a new ceasefire proposal, Axios has reported, with Washington urging both sides to accept the deal.

The push coincides with the Jewish state's renewed assault on Gaza, which included a wave of weekend airstrikes and a major ground offensive - Operation Gideon's Chariots.

According to Axios, Witkoff's proposal includes a 45- to 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of ten hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

While similar to past plans, the latest version reportedly contains clearer language signaling that it could lead to a permanent ceasefire. It also includes guarantees aimed at preventing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from unilaterally ending the truce - an issue that derailed a previous agreement.

Sources say Netanyahu has responded positively but with many conditions. Hamas has not yet agreed and is reportedly seeking firm assurances that a temporary truce could pave the way for a lasting ceasefire.

Negotiation teams from both sides are formally in Qatar, but an Israeli official told Axios that the real discussions are happening through other, less public channels. Talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US have so far failed to produce a breakthrough. Netanyahu maintains that the war will not end without Hamas' total defeat, while the group continues to reject disarmament terms.

The current escalation began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise cross-border attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250. An estimated 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including both living captives and those confirmed deceased whose remains have not yet been recovered.

As of Monday, the Palestinian death toll from Israel's offensive in Gaza has surpassed 53,400, according to the enclave's health officials.

(RT.com)