US Special Envoy Reveals Details of Proposed Gaza Ceasefire Extension Plan

Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, revealed details of the 'Bridge Proposal' during his recent meeting in Doha, which he presented on Wednesday. According to the Times of Israel, Witkoff's new proposal, taking into account Israel's position, calls for an extension of the first phase, in exchange for Hamas delivering live hostages for the release of prisoners. He did not specify the exact number of this exchange but stated that it would be based on previous patterns. An Arab diplomat told the Times of Israel that according to this proposal, five live hostages are set to be released. The proposed extension of the first phase would also include the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. About two weeks ago, Israel halted this aid with the official end of the first phase of the ceasefire, which was supported by the Trump administration. Witkoff rejected Hamas's claim of agreeing to the release of American-Israeli hostage Eidan Alexander, describing it as a deceptive act. The US special envoy emphasized the immediate release of this 20-year-old soldier and warned that a deadline had been set for this action, and if it is not met, there will be specific consequences for Hamas. He stated, 'Hamas is mistaken in thinking that time is on its side. It is not. This group is aware of the deadline and must know that if it crosses this deadline, it will receive a proportional response.' He referred to a recent ultimatum from Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who demanded the immediate release of all hostages, emphasizing that otherwise, Hamas would pay a heavy price. According to Witkoff, he and Eric Trager, the director for Middle Eastern affairs at the National Security Council, arrived in Doha on Wednesday and presented a plan to extend the ceasefire in Gaza until after the end of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover (April 19). This phase, referred to as the 'extension of the first phase,' provides an opportunity for negotiations regarding a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The previous agreement between Israel and Hamas, signed in January, was supposed to transition from the first phase to the second phase on March 2. Under this phase, Israel was to withdraw from Gaza and agree to end the war. However, over the past month, Israel has refrained from entering these negotiations.