U.S. gave Hamas new Gaza ceasefire and hostage -release proposal
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Displaced Palestinian children are seen inside the destroyed Islamic University in Gaza City, Gaza, on Mar. 25, 2025. Photo: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The U.S. gave Hamas a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to release American hostage Edan Alexander and break the stalemate in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, one U.S. official and one Israeli official said.
Why it matters: It isn't clear if Hamas will accept the proposal that hinges on releasing Alexander in return for a statement by President Trump calling for calm in Gaza and resuming negotiations over a broader ceasefire deal.
- "There is no deal yet," a U.S. official said.
Driving the news: U.S. and Israeli officials said that in recent days, after Israeli resumed the war in Gaza, the negotiations over a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal stalled.
- In the meantime, Israel expanded its military operation in Gaza, including ground incursions in several parts of the enclave.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Wednesday that if Hamas continues to refuse to release hostages, Israel is going to occupy more parts of Gaza.
Behind the scenes: The U.S. has put significant pressure on both Egypt and Qatar over the past few days to press Hamas to agree to release some hostages, which would restore the ceasefire and buy more time for negotiations, U.S. and Israeli officials said.
- A few days ago, Egyptian officials met Hamas representatives in Cairo to discuss a new proposal in an effort to break the logjam in the talks. An Israeli official said the proposal was very similar to the one presented by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff two weeks ago, which Hamas didn't accept.
- The Egyptians threatened to deport Hamas prisoners who were released by Israel as part of the Gaza ceasefire and have been staying in Cairo since if the group doesn't agree to release more hostages.
- U.S. and Israeli officials said Hamas leaders outside of Gaza were willing to agree to the Egyptian proposal, but Hamas' military leader in Gaza Mohammed Sinwar rejected it.
- On Wednesday, Witkoff spoke to the Qatari prime minister in an effort to develop another formula. The two reached a proposal that includes the release of Alexander in return for a favorable statement from Trump that would lead to a temporary ceasefire for a few days and an immediate resumption of talks on a broader deal, U.S. and Israeli officials said.
- On Wednesday, Witkoff briefed Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer about the new proposal he developed with the Qataris.
What to watch: Qatari and Egyptian officials met Hamas representatives in Doha on Thursday and discussed the different proposals, Israeli and U.S. officials said.
- An Israeli official said the new U.S.-Qatari proposal "is more an idea that isn't fully clear or fully developed."
- He said the Qataris presented the proposal to Hamas as a gesture to the U.S. that could go a long way with Trump and allow him to press Israel for a broader deal.
- But it is not clear if Hamas would agree to release Alexander only for a statement from Trump and without getting a ceasefire commitment or a release of prisoners return.
