The United States proposes a “bridge” proposal to expand a ceasefire in Gaza and promote permanent solutions | World News
The White House said in a statement that the United States has proposed a “bridge” proposal to extend the Israel-Hamas ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, allowing time to negotiate a permanent ending of the conflict.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Council official Eric Tager made the proposal in Qatar on Wednesday, according to a statement from the office.
“Steve Witkoff, the Middle East and Eric Trager, senior director of the National Security Council for the Middle East and North Africa, proposed a “bridge” proposal to extend the scope of the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover and to have time negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire,” the statement reads.
The proposal requires Hamas to continue to release the hostages in exchange for prisoners based on the previously established formula. It also extended a phase 1 ceasefire to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
“Under the “Bridge” proposal, Hamas will release hostages of life in exchange for prisoners to follow the previous formula; the first phase of the ceasefire will be extended to enable the recovery of large amounts of humanitarian aid; the United States will provide a lasting solution to this stubborn conflict during the extended ceasefire,” the statement said.
Vikov stressed that mediators, including Qatar and Hamas, made it clear to Hamas that the “bridge” proposal must be implemented as soon as possible.
“Through our Katari and Egyptian partners, there is no doubt that Hamas must soon implement this ‘bridge’, and Edan Alexander, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, must be released immediately,” he said.
Vykov criticized Hamas for publicly claiming flexibility in ceasefire negotiations while making unrealistic demands in private.
“Unfortunately, Hamas chose to respond by claiming flexibility publicly while making a private claim is totally unrealistic without a permanent ceasefire. Hamas is not about time. No. It’s not. Hamas is very clear about the deadline and should know that if the deadline passes, we’ll know, we’ll respond,” he said. ”
