WASHINGTON – The United States on Friday confirmed that Israel signed a ceasefire plan for Gaza proposed by Washington while Hamas is currently reviewing the terms of the agreement.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that Israel formally agreed to the US backed proposal aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“Israel has signed onto the plan,” she said, without disclosing further details. However, according to the local American media, the proposed plan includes an initial 60-day ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid through the United Nations.
A senior Hamas official said the group is carefully and responsibly evaluating the proposals presented by US envoy Steve Wiktorwicz.
“We are assessing the offer with great care to ensure the interests of our people are protected and that Israeli aggression comes to an end,” the official said.
Israeli media also reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had informed the families of hostages held in Gaza that his government had accepted the US proposal. While Netanyahu’s office, according to the international media reports, did not officially confirmed the development, the White House statement marked a major step toward a potential truce.
The ceasefire plan comes amid growing international pressure to end months of bloodshed in Gaza and to allow humanitarian aid to reach the besieged population.
Hamas rejects US ceasefire proposal, calls it a reflection of Israeli stance
Palestinian resistance group Hamas dismissed the new US-backed ceasefire proposal, calling it a continuation of killing and famine and a reflection of Israel’s position.
Speaking to British news agency Reuters, Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri said the proposal fails to include key conditions set by the group — including a full Israeli military withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. He added that Hamas is still reviewing the proposal.
Meanwhile, Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, told AFP that the draft fails to meet the demands of the Palestinian people and lacks a clear commitment to a lasting ceasefire.
According to sources, the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza, with a possible extension to 70 days. It also outlines the exchange of 10 hostages and 9 bodies during the first week.
The US administration claims Israel has signed the proposal and that it has now been formally presented to Hamas. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that discussions are ongoing, and the US hopes for the return of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza soon.
However, when asked if Hamas had accepted the proposal, Leavitt responded, “Not to my knowledge.”
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