🚨Israel Pushes US-Backed Proposal to Extend Phase 1 of Gaza Ceasefire, Threatening War Unless Hamas Accepts Israel has endorsed a US proposal by special envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire through April 19 without meeting key terms of the current deal—aiming to release hostages immediately while skipping phase 2 with Hamas. Details of new proposal: ⬇️ ➤ Half the hostages—both living and deceased—would be released immediately. ➤ The remaining hostages would be freed at the end of the extension, pending a permanent ceasefire. ➤ The extension covers Ramadan (until March 29) and Passover (until April 19). ➤ Israel warns that if Hamas rejects the new terms (“if negotiations are deemed ineffective”), fighting could resume immediately. ➤ Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed the “Witkoff Plan” after a four-hour meeting, noting Hamas has yet to accept; they stated, “if Hamas changes its position… Israel will immediately enter negotiations on all the details.” ➤ The current agreement requires phase 2 talks to have begun by day 16 and IDF withdrawals from the Philadelphi Corridor by day 42, yet Israel only began indirect talks after day 42 and has not started withdrawals.
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