The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported this Sunday morning that the message was carried by an Israeli activist who assisted in the negotiations for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit over a decade ago, specifically on October 18, 2011. The activist, Gershon Baskin, was in contact with the Palestinian movement leader, Ghazi Hamad. The proposal conveyed by Witkoff to “Hamas” included several general principles, in addition to the release of all Israeli detainees, both alive and deceased, estimated to be around 48 detainees.
Sources indicated that “this is not a final or official formula but rather general principles aimed at continuing negotiations, and Israel is ready to halt the invasion of Gaza City if presented with a ‘real deal’.” It was mentioned that the head of the negotiation team, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, is expected to travel to the United States this week for talks with senior officials in President Trump’s administration.
The “Hamas” movement announced its agreement to a 60-day period that includes a partial exchange of prisoners and detainees, followed by negotiations aimed at a permanent ceasefire and ending the war, although Israel has not officially responded to the proposal yet.
Israel resumed bombing the Gaza Strip on March 18, after a nearly two-month pause since the ceasefire agreement with “Hamas” came into effect on January 19, following stalled talks to extend the first phase of the agreement or move to its second phase. The ceasefire agreement was supposed to continue once the first phase, which ended on March 1, was extended or enter its second phase, but disagreements between Israel and Hamas over the next steps prevented this.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the Gaza Strip is experiencing a “humanitarian disaster,” while the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed the need to end the war in Gaza and launch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at achieving a two-state solution, leading to peaceful and secure living conditions.
