Israel has introduced a new ceasefire plan, which it claims originated from U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it the “Witkoff proposal,” but the White House has not confirmed this, only stating that it supports Israel’s decisions.
This new plan emerged as the first phase of the January ceasefire agreement ended without a clear roadmap for the next phase. Hamas has accused Israel of attempting to sabotage the original agreement, which involved hostage exchanges and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The new plan requires Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire and negotiations for a lasting truce. However, unlike the original agreement, Israel has not agreed to release more Palestinian prisoners in return.
This significantly alters the balance of negotiations, as Hamas had previously expected further prisoner releases as part of the second phase. With no substantial talks taking place, the current situation remains uncertain, with both sides deeply distrustful of each other’s intentions.
Gaza Blockade Intensifies as Netanyahu Faces Political Pressure Over Ceasefire Plan
As a pressure tactic, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, cutting off food, fuel, and medical supplies to its population of 2 million. This move has drawn condemnation from Egypt and Qatar, who accuse Israel of violating humanitarian law.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders are working on a separate postwar plan for Gaza, countering Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate its population and turn the territory into a tourist destination. However, any plans for the region’s future remain uncertain as long as the conflict continues.
Israel Proposes New Ceasefire Plan as Gaza Blockade and Political Tensions EscalateThe new ceasefire proposal carries significant political implications for Netanyahu, who faces pressure from far-right allies demanding the total destruction of Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to collapse the government if Netanyahu proceeds with Phase 2 of the original agreement instead of resuming the war.
The six-week window provided by the new plan allows Netanyahu time to pass a budget and avoid a government collapse, but opposition parties have signaled their willingness to back a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages.
Uncertainty in U.S. Support and Competing Plans for Gaza’s Future
The American position on the new plan remains unclear. Netanyahu insists his government is fully aligned with the Trump administration, which has publicly endorsed Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas. However, Steve Witkoff has not made any public statements about the plan attributed to him, and U.S. officials have not confirmed their direct involvement. Trump himself has taken a mixed stance, expressing outrage at Hamas’ actions while also advocating for an end to prolonged conflicts in the region.
Trump has proposed relocating Gaza’s 2 million residents and rebuilding the area as a tourism hub, an idea widely rejected by Arab nations and human rights organizations. In response, Egypt has developed a counterproposal that keeps Palestinians in Gaza, relocating them to “safe zones” while cities are rebuilt.
Under this plan, Hamas would cede power to a transitional authority. However, Israel remains firmly opposed to any role for the Palestinian Authority in postwar Gaza, making it unlikely that Netanyahu will accept this proposal. With no agreement in sight, the risk of renewed conflict remains high.