JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel has received a new Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages proposal via U.S. intermediaries, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported on Thursday.
The proposal, presented by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, includes a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in two phases, the report said, quoting a senior Israeli official.
In return, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians, the official said.
The proposal does not require Israel to commit to ending its 19-month offensive in Gaza but requires that both Israel and Hamas engage in negotiations on a long-term truce.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar would serve as guarantors of the ceasefire deal.
Witkoff announced Washington's intention to submit the new proposal on Wednesday. Speaking at the White House alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, he expressed optimism about achieving a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution.
Hamas said on Wednesday that it had reached an understanding with Witkoff on a general ceasefire framework, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the release of 10 living hostages, the handover of several bodies and Palestinian prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the transfer of Gaza's governance to a technocratic committee.
Israel estimated that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. They were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing Israeli offensive.
Israel ended a previous three-phase ceasefire deal in March, following two months of truce during which Hamas released 33 hostages. It declined to proceed with the second phase and resumed its assault on Gaza.
The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli attacks has reached at least 54,084 since the start of the offensive, said Gaza's health authorities on Monday. ■
