According to Israeli media, US President Donald Trump’s Special Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff has reportedly presented a new proposal during ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, ongoing in the capital of Qatar, Doha. The proposal suggests extending the ceasefire by 50 days and adjusting the number of prisoners to be released. According to the Israeli state television KAN, Witkoff offered a proposal to the parties that limited prisoner exchange would occur in return for restarting humanitarian aid to Gaza. The proposal was noted to include negotiations for the second stage of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza. Furthermore, the new proposal indicates that the ceasefire will be extended by 50 days, with the number of prisoners to be released depending on negotiations.

Israel’s “Channel 12” TV also reported that after realizing the initial proposal including the release of more prisoners (10) was not feasible, Witkoff suggested to mediators that five prisoners should be released alive, including all American citizens held captive in the Gaza Strip, and the remains of nine prisoners should be handed over. The 50-day ceasefire proposal includes releasing Palestinian prisoners in Gaza and encompasses the month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, according to the report.

A source from Israel stated that they have agreed to the proposal even though they would like to see more prisoners released, mentioning that “the ball is in Hamas’ court.” Hamas insists on complete cessation of all attacks on Gaza and full withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip, requesting a commitment to this. Israel’s “Channel 12” TV reported that there are 59 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, with the Israeli army estimating 35 dead and 24 alive. The Jerusalem Post’s report on the news mentioned that Witkoff’s new ceasefire proposal covers a 50-day period from March 1 to April 20, confirming that negotiations will continue during this time. Additionally, optimism has been expressed by an Israeli source, stating that they believe an agreement can be reached and that the negotiation team’s presence in Qatar bodes well.

It was informed that the 42-day initial phase of ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, effective in Gaza since January 19, had concluded on March 2. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government had obstructed the start of negotiations of the second phase, which was set to begin on February 3. Israel had halted all entry of humanitarian aid materials into the Gaza Strip on March 2 and cut off electricity supply to the region on March 9. It was reported that the Israeli negotiation team had arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on March 10 without the authority to discuss a “permanent ceasefire.” US President Donald Trump’s Special Middle East Envoy Witkoff also took part in the negotiations. Hamas had previously announced that negotiations on the ceasefire agreement with intermediary countries in Doha were progressing positively.