Israel gave Hamas updated proposal for Gaza deal as Trump pushes for resolution
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A Palestinian family takes refuge in a damaged building as they struggle with the cold weather conditions and food crisis in Khan Yunis, Gaza on Dec. 4, 2024. Photo: Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images
Israel gave Hamas an updated proposal for a deal to release some of the remaining 100 hostages held by Hamas and begin a ceasefire in Gaza, two Israeli officials said.
Why it matters: Israel hopes the killing of Hamas' leader Yahya Sinwar, a ceasefire in Lebanon and pressure from President-elect Trump could provide an opening to resume negotiations that have been deadlocked for three months, Israeli officials said.
- The updated framework for a deal is not significantly different from the proposal that was negotiated in August and didn't materialize. But the focus now is to try to implement mainly the first phase of that deal with some changes, Israeli officials said.
- The officials said Hamas has shown more willingness to be flexible and begin implementing even a partial deal.
Driving the news: On Wednesday, Israel's Defense Forces announced it recovered the body of an Israeli hostage from Gaza.
- Itay Svirsky was kidnapped alive from Be'eri, a Kibutz near Gaza, during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. The IDF said he was murdered by his Hamas captives several months later.
- There are now 100 hostages still being held in Gaza, including them seven Americans. The IDF believes between 40 and 50 of the hostages are still alive.
- More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli forces since the Hamas attacks last year, according to local health officials.
Behind the scenes: Israeli officials said the updated Israeli framework was agreed on in a meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened on Sunday with several senior ministers and the heads of the Israeli security services.
- The principles of the updated framework were conveyed to senior Egyptian intelligence officials, who presented it to Hamas representatives in talks on Monday and Tuesday in Cairo.
- Israeli officials said Egypt is now the main channel for negotiations with Hamas, although Qatar is still involved after it pulled back on its role as a mediator in the talks.
State of play: The principles proposed by Israel in the updated framework are similar to those previously discussed, with some changes and space for maneuvering and negotiations, Israeli officials said.
- Israel is willing to negotiate a ceasefire that would last between 42 and 60 days. The previous proposal included a 42-day ceasefire.
- The updated proposal also includes the release of all surviving women held by Hamas, all living men over the age of 50 who are held captive and hostages in serious medical condition.
In the past, Israel demanded that 33 living hostages in these categories be released, but Israel is now prepared to release a smaller number, officials said. One reason for that is the assessment that some of the hostages in these categories are no longer alive.
- As proposed in the previous framework, Israel says it is willing to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages, some of whom are serving life sentences in prison for murdering Israelis.
The big picture: Trump announced on Wednesday that he is appointing Adam Boehler as his special envoy for hostage affairs.
- Boehler was part of the White House team that negotiated the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term.
- Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer met in Washington on Wednesday with Trump's pick for national security adviser, Mike Walz, and discussed with him the hostage-release and ceasefire deal.
One of Trump's advisers told Axios the President-elect supports a deal if it is acceptable to Israel, adding that an agreement is urgent because "the lives of the hostages are in danger."
- "Trump wants such a deal to be implemented as soon as possible and without delay before January 20," the Trump's adviser told Axios.
- Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff visited Qatar and Israel in late November and met Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Reuters reported.
What they're saying: The Qatari Prime Minister told Sky News on Wednesday that he is in contact with Trump's advisers on the efforts to reach a deal.
- "We heard from his team that they want this to be resolved now ... we hope his message will be delivered to both parties. We are trying our best," the prime minister said.
What to watch: Israeli officials said it is still unclear what Hamas' position is on the updated framework proposed by Israel.
- "We are waiting to understand from the Egyptians what Hamas' response is. In a few days, we will understand whether Hamas is willing to negotiate within the framework we presented or not," an Israeli official said.
- If Hamas gives a positive response, an Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo to try and finalize the details — the number of days of the ceasefire, the number of hostages to be released and the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released for each hostage.
