The United States proposed a “bridge proposal” to extend the ceasefire in Gaza. President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, threatened Hamas to accept the proposal. However, Hamas had already given a “positive” response to the proposal hours before Witkoff’s statements. Hamas announced its intention to release the living Israeli soldier, Edan Alexander, who also holds U.S. citizenship, stating that this was a positive step and that there were no new or side agreements being discussed.

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, made a “bridge proposal” to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, allowing time to negotiate the framework of a permanent ceasefire.

Accusing Hamas of making “completely infeasible” demands, Witkoff said that time was not in favor of Hamas. Witkoff stated, “Hamas is aware of the final date, and if they let the time pass, the United States will respond appropriately.”

HAMAS’ CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT
However, hours before Witkoff’s statements, Hamas officials had announced the acceptance of the U.S. administration’s proposal. Hamas also expressed readiness to deliver the lifeless bodies of Edan Alexander and four other hostages, who are also U.S. citizens, to Israel.

Hamas Spokesperson, Hazim Kasim, stated, “We made a positive gesture by announcing our intention to release the U.S. citizen Israeli soldier, Edan Alexander. We are talking about progressing through the various stages of implementing the ceasefire agreement, not about new or side agreements.”

Kasim emphasized that threats and pressure on Palestinian negotiators would not yield positive results and expressed the desire to release all prisoners and achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. ISRAEL ACCUSED HAMAS

Meanwhile, Israel accused Hamas of manipulation and waging psychological warfare. An Israeli government statement confirmed that Hamas did not back down and was determined to reject Witkoff’s proposal. Following Hamas’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to convene a security cabinet meeting.

THE CEASEFIRE PUZZLE IN GAZA

Trump’s Middle East Envoy Witkoff was in Qatar this week. According to Israeli officials, Witkoff had previously proposed extending the initial phase of the ceasefire until mid-April. This extension includes releasing half of the hostages in Gaza on the day the agreement is implemented, with the remaining hostages to be released upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement. However, Hamas insists on proceeding to the second stage in talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt instead of extending the first stage. It was reported that a Hamas delegation traveled to Cairo to monitor the developments in ceasefire negotiations. The initial phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza ended in early March before progressing to the second stage.