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U.S. Proposes Full Hostage Swap to Pause Gaza City Assault as Hamas Sets Terms

The offer moved through parallel intermediaries outside the usual Qatar or Egypt track.

Overview

  • The U.S. plan calls for Hamas to release all hostages immediately, including remains, in exchange for Israel freeing roughly 2,500–3,000 Palestinian detainees and suspending its Gaza City offensive.
  • Israeli broadcasters Channel 12 and Kan reported that Israel is open to the proposal, while Hamas has not issued an unconditional acceptance.
  • Hamas said it is ready to discuss a comprehensive exchange only if the deal includes a declared end to the war, a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and an independent Palestinian committee to govern the Strip.
  • The proposal was conveyed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff through intermediaries Bishara Bahbah and Gershon Baskin, and was described as a set of principles rather than a formal document.
  • President Donald Trump voiced confidence that an agreement could come soon and warned through U.S. messaging that a rejection could lead to a large Israeli operation, as Israeli forces continued demolishing high‑rises in Gaza City.