U.S. Proposes 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Deal: 28 Hostages for 1,236 Palestinian Prisoners

In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has presented a 60-day ceasefire proposal aimed at halting the ongoing war in Gaza. According to a confidential document obtained by Reuters, the plan outlines the release of 28 Israeli hostages (alive and deceased) in exchange for 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and 180 bodies of Palestinians held by Israel.

The ceasefire proposal is guaranteed by U.S. President Donald Trump along with mediators Egypt and Qatar, and includes immediate humanitarian assistance to Gaza once Hamas consents. The aid will be channeled through the United Nations, Red Crescent, and other approved agencies.

Operation logistics:

• Israel agrees to halt all military operations upon truce implementation.

• Troop withdrawal to occur in stages.

• Remaining 30 Israeli hostages to be released upon permanent ceasefire agreement.

Background:
The war began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages. Since then, over 54,000 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s health officials.

Despite U.S. optimism, Hamas has voiced reservations, citing that the proposal mirrors Israel’s demands without any solid commitments for troop withdrawal or a war-ending guarantee.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and endorsed by Israel, has faced chaos distributing aid under the blockade. The U.N. warns that 2 million Gazans face famine.

With pressure mounting internationally, especially from Europe, a breakthrough may be on the horizon — or another failed attempt in a long list of stalled negotiations.