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The United States has reportedly presented a new comprehensive ceasefire proposal to Hamas through Israeli activist Gershon Baskin, offering the release of all 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for ending Israel's military operations in Gaza, according to Israeli media outlet Israel Hayom and others.
U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff's proposal, whose full details have not been made public, includes the return of all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, along with several additional conditions, Israeli media reported on Sunday.
Israeli media outlet Channel 12 confirmed that Baskin, who previously mediated between Hamas and Tel Aviv during negotiations for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, delivered Witkoff's proposal to senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad.
The new U.S. initiative comes as Hamas maintains its readiness for a comprehensive ceasefire while Israel insists on its own conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that his administration is conducting "very intense negotiations" with Hamas.
"We told them, 'Release all the hostages immediately, and then much better things will happen. If you don't release them all, the situation will be very bad.'"
Trump stated, adding that negotiations involve 20 hostages and that they believe 30 have died.
Hamas has stated it is prepared for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that includes:
Israel's conditions include:
Israeli media reported that communications between the U.S. administration and Hamas resumed in recent days after weeks of suspension.
Despite Hamas accepting a partial ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar on August 18, Israel has not responded to the offer.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters on Sunday that the group would not lay down its arms but would release all hostages if Israel agreed to end the war and withdraw its forces from Gaza, maintaining Hamas's long-standing position.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Sunday that the war could end immediately if Hamas released the remaining hostages and laid down its weapons. "We will be more than happy to reach this objective with political means," Saar said in Jerusalem.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates. The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Sunday that the death toll has reached 64,368 Palestinians killed since October 2023, with 162,776 injured.
Five more Palestinians died of malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the famine-linked death toll to 387 people, including 138 children, since October 2023.
The ministry also reported that 31 Palestinians were killed and over 132 were injured by Israeli army fire while trying to obtain humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total killed while seeking assistance to 2,416, with over 17,709 wounded since May 27.
Israeli forces continued their assault on Gaza City over the weekend, destroying two high-rise buildings that were sheltering displaced Palestinians.
The Israeli military said the buildings were being used by Hamas and that civilians were warned in advance, though no evidence was provided.
Of the 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, Israeli officials believe around 20 are still alive.
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