From Quds News: Egypt, one of the mediators in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, has reportedly received positive signals regarding a new ceasefire proposal that includes a transitional phase. Meanwhile, the U.S. has also presented Hamas with a new proposal via Qatar. These ceasefire talks come as Israel continues to bombard the Palestinian enclave, killing and injuring hundreds.
The proposal suggests Hamas release five Israeli captives each week, security sources told Reuters on Thursday.
A security delegation from Egypt has left for Qatar for talks, which will include increasing aid to the enclave and releasing remaining captives, state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said on Thursday.
Asked about the latest proposal, a Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts said “there are some offers that look better than the previous ones”.
When asked if he expects an announcement on a breakthrough on Thursday, he replied: “Maybe not yet”. An Israeli spokesperson said there is currently no Israeli delegation in Doha.
The U.S. gave Hamas a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to release American captive Edan Alexander and break the stalemate in the ceasefire negotiations, one U.S. official and one Israeli official said, Axios reported.
The release of the captive will be in return for a statement by President Trump calling for calm in Gaza and resuming negotiations over a broader ceasefire deal.
“There is no deal yet,” a U.S. official said.
On Wednesday, Witkoff spoke to the Qatari prime minister in an effort to develop another formula.
The two reached a proposal that includes the release of Alexander in return for a favorable statement from Trump that would lead to a temporary ceasefire for a few days and an immediate resumption of talks on a broader deal, U.S. and Israeli officials said.
Qatari and Egyptian officials met Hamas representatives in Doha on Thursday and discussed the different proposals, Israeli and U.S. officials said.
An Israeli official said the new U.S.-Qatari proposal “is more an idea that isn’t fully clear or fully developed.”
He said the Qataris presented the proposal to Hamas as a gesture to the U.S. that could go a long way with Trump and allow him to press Israel for a broader deal.
On March 18, Israel renewed its assault on the Gaza Strip and last week launched a new ground invasion across the enclave, marking the collapse of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that had been in place since January 19, 2025. The first phase ended on March 1, 2025, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to proceed with the second phase.
Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court, sought to free more Israeli prisoners without fulfilling Israel’s commitments, including ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza. Hamas insisted on implementing the full agreement.
