Israel and Hamas are “very close” to reaching a ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.
“We’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow, we have a chance of that,” he said.
According to Israel’s Channel 12 News, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff devised a ceasefire plan that includes the two-stage release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies, in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire aimed at facilitating negotiations to end the war.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday: Hamas has a choice: accept the terms of the “Witkoff proposal” or face destruction.
“The IDF continues its operations in Gaza with full force, striking and dismantling Hamas strongholds, while evacuating the local population from every combat zone and attacking the area from the air, land and sea on an unprecedented scale to ensure maximum protection for our soldiers ahead of the maneuvering forces entering each region and during the maneuver itself,” the minister’s statement read.
“Our foremost commitment is to the protection of our brave soldiers in regular and reserve duty above all other considerations. After eliminating the terrorists and clearing the area, the IDF removes every threat following the Rafah model—and remains to maintain control of the location,” Katz continued.
“In this way, we will achieve the objectives of the war: the release of all hostages and the defeat and destruction of Hamas,” he said.
The “Rafah model” is a reference to the reported large-scale flattening of buildings and infrastructure in the southernmost area in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, due to concerns of terrorist threats such as hidden explosive devices. The model also views an indefinite deployment of IDF troops in the area as a security asset preventing Hamas from reestablishing itself.
If, however, a ceasefire is reached, the IDF would withdraw from areas in Gaza captured since the launch of “Operation Strength and Sword” on March 18, according to Channel 12.
Additionally, humanitarian aid distribution would return to being managed by the United Nations rather than the Israeli-American Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
In exchange for the 10 living hostages, Israel would release 125 Palestinian terrorists serving life sentences and 1,111 Gazans arrested after Oct. 7, 2023. For the 18 bodies, Israel would release 180 bodies of Gazans, in two installments.
Trump would declare the ceasefire and act as a guarantor that both parties respect the agreement. Egypt and Qatar would also serve as guarantors.
Under the terms, Israel would immediately halt all offensive military operations in the Gaza Strip.
