Draft Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Offers Strong Guarantees but No Absolute War-End Pledge, Israeli Official Says
Framework for prisoner swap and 60-day truce includes robust provisions yet stops short of a binding commitment to end hostilities.
Watan-An Israeli official said on Wednesday that the outlines of the proposed prisoner exchange and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip include stronger guarantees to end the war but do not offer an absolute promise to do so.
Haaretz quoted the unnamed Israeli source as saying, “According to the latest document—which was positively received by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer—Israel showed flexibility toward Hamas on several points.”
On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Israel had accepted the “necessary conditions” for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
According to the Israeli source, “the current outlines approved by Dermer include very strong guarantees for ending the war.”
He noted, “The document shows flexibility in the clauses regarding the depth of the Israeli withdrawal during the ceasefire and the distribution of humanitarian aid.”
He added, “While the document does not include an absolute promise that Israel intends to end the war, it does contain very strong guarantees to that effect.”
For example, the document stipulates that if no agreement is reached within 60 days of the ceasefire, mediators will be responsible for ensuring the continuation of negotiations under certain conditions.
“This is not just mere words, but rather the overall atmosphere that allows Hamas to see how strongly the Americans want and are able to draw Israel into that—namely, to end the war,” the official said.
Hamas had insisted on amendments to U.S. envoy Steve Biegun’s proposal concerning the Israeli army’s withdrawal, the delivery of humanitarian aid through U.N. agencies, and stronger American guarantees to end the war if the agreement is implemented.
