Israel has taken action regarding the ceasefire proposal in Gaza by the US. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the Israeli delegation to prepare for negotiation talks under the proposal of US representative Steve Witkoff. Hamas, in a statement yesterday, announced its intention to release the living Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who is also a US citizen, and stated that no new or side agreements were discussed.

According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu held a meeting with the negotiation delegation, ministers, and security officials who returned from the capital of Qatar, Doha, to discuss ceasefire negotiations. The statement mentioned that Netanyahu instructed to prepare for negotiation talks based on the proposal from Witkoff, which includes the immediate release of 11 Israeli captives and half of the deceased captives in Gaza.

NEW CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL FROM THE US: Israeli media reported that Witkoff had presented a new proposal during the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza in Doha. Israeli state television KAN reported that Witkoff previously proposed a 60-day extension of the ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 Israeli captives. Israel claimed to have accepted this plan, stating that Hamas rejected it, leading to the suspension of all humanitarian aid materials entering the Gaza Strip.

CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM HAMAS: However, hours before Witkoff’s statements, Hamas officials had already announced the acceptance of the US proposal. Hamas also stated that they were ready to deliver the deceased bodies of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and four hostages, who also held American citizenship, to Israel. Hamas Spokesperson Hazim Kasım expressed, “We made a positive move by announcing our intention to release the US citizen Israeli soldier Edan Alexander. We are not discussing new or side agreements but progressing towards the implementation of different stages of the ceasefire agreement.” Kasım emphasized that threats and pressure attempts against Palestinian negotiators would not yield positive outcomes and expressed their desire for the release of all captives and a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

CEASEFIRE PUZZLE IN GAZA: This week, Trump’s Middle East Envoy Witkoff was in Qatar. According to Israeli officials, Witkoff had previously suggested extending the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April. This extension envisions the release of half of the captives in Gaza on the day the agreement comes into effect, with the rest being released upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement. However, Hamas insists on moving to the second phase in the agreement where mediation by Qatar and Egypt is involved. It was reported that a Hamas delegation traveled to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to monitor the developments in the ceasefire negotiations. The first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza ended in early March before progressing to the second phase.