The U.S. Proposes New Ceasefire Plan for Gaza and Return of Hostages

On Friday, the United States presented a new proposal based on Biden's suggested plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2735 to establish a ceasefire and facilitate the return of hostages. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar issued a joint statement on Friday, August 26, highlighting the intensive discussions among senior officials from the three countries over the past 48 hours in Doha aimed at achieving a ceasefire and the release of all hostages and detainees. They described these discussions as 'serious' and 'constructive,' conducted in a 'positive atmosphere.' According to the statement, the U.S., with the support of Egypt and Qatar, proposed a plan to Israel and Hamas that aligns with the principles of Biden's proposal from June 11 and UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The joint statement further noted that the plan is based on the agreed principles from all parties over the past week and addresses the remaining gaps in the swift implementation of the agreement. Working teams will focus on the technical aspects of implementing the agreement in the coming days, including arrangements for humanitarian provisions and details concerning the hostages and detainees. The statement adds that senior officials from the three countries will meet in Cairo before the end of next week to finalize the agreement based on the conditions presented on Friday. The joint statement reiterated last week's comments from the leaders of the three countries, emphasizing that there is no time to waste and no excuses for delays from any party, and that the time for the release of hostages and detainees, the start of the ceasefire, and the implementation of this agreement has arrived. The end of the joint statement from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar stated that implementing this agreement would save lives, bring peace to the people of Gaza, and de-escalate tensions in the region. Washington and regional mediators are striving to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. The United States, as Israel's most important ally, has stated that a ceasefire in Gaza could reduce the risk of escalating war in the Middle East. With rising tensions following the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Iran, and Hezbollah military commander Foad Shukr in Beirut, the likelihood of a broader war has increased. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, in which 1,200 citizens, mostly civilians, were killed and over 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza aimed at recovering the kidnapped hostages and destroying Hamas. Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada consider Hamas a terrorist organization. A new round of ceasefire negotiations in Doha is ongoing, with discussions continuing on Friday. The White House stated that all parties should participate in the negotiations. Axios reported that Donald Trump and Netanyahu discussed the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages, which Netanyahu denied. Protesters in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv demanded that Netanyahu's government agree to the release of hostages.