US Continues Efforts on Revised Gaza Ceasefire Proposal, State Dept Reports

By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON – The United States continues to collaborate with mediators from Egypt and Qatar to put forward an updated proposal for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday.

For several weeks, officials have indicated that a new proposal would soon be presented, which aims to include the release of hostages taken by Hamas from Israel since the conflict began on October 7.

Miller informed reporters that the U.S. is actively working with the mediators on the contents of the proposal, ensuring that it is structured in a way that can lead to a comprehensive agreement between the involved parties.

"I don’t have a specific timeframe to provide, but I can say that we are working diligently to develop that proposal," Miller remarked.

Efforts over the past months have yet to yield a resolution to the war, which has now entered its twelfth month, despite a proposal laid out by U.S. President Joe Biden in June that was accepted by Israel.

Last week, Hamas stated its willingness to implement a ceasefire based on the previous proposal without adding any new conditions from either side.

U.S. officials have indicated that much of the agreement has been reached, but negotiations continue to address two primary challenges: Israel’s request to maintain its military presence in the Philadelphi corridor as a buffer between Gaza and Egypt, and the details surrounding an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Miller confirmed that these issues remain the main points of contention.