US presents 'bridge' proposal to extend Gaza ceasefire
Proposal to extend ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover would allow time to negotiate for permanent ceasefire, White House says
Palestinian families spend time on the beach in Deir Al-Balah during the last sunset of 2024 amidst Israeli attacks on Gaza on December 31, 2024.
WASHINGTON
The US presented a "bridge" proposal to extend the Gaza ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, the White House said on Friday.
"President (Donald) Trump has made it clear that Hamas will either release hostages immediately, or pay a severe price," the office of special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the National Security Council said in a statement.
On Wednesday evening in Doha, Qatar, Witkoff and National Security Council Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa Eric Trager presented a "bridge" proposal which would "allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire," it said.
Under the proposal, the statement said Hamas would release living hostages in exchange for prisoners in accordance with previous formulas.
"Through our Qatari and Egyptian partners, Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this 'bridge' would have to be implemented soon — and that dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately," it added.
