As truce enters limbo, Israel gives diplomacy with Hamas one last chance before resuming war

As the status of the Gaza ceasefire entered limbo early Sunday with the formal end of its 42-day first phase, Israel said it would wait an unspecified period of time before taking any action, unveiling details of what it said was an American outline for the release of the remaining hostages and a permanent ceasefire.

Minutes after midnight and following a four-hour security consultation with top officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared that it was endorsing what it described as a proposal by US President Donald Trump’s special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which would see the ceasefire with Hamas extended through Ramadan and Passover, during which all hostages could potentially be released.

Ramadan, which began Friday night, runs until March 29. Passover ends on April 19. According to Israel’s account of Witkoff’s proposal, half of the remaining hostages — living and dead — would be released on the first day of the extended ceasefire, and the remaining captives would be released at the end of the period if a permanent ceasefire is reached.   (Read More)