By Fern Sidman

In a major shift in U.S.-Israel diplomacy, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, announced from the Oval Office on Wednesday that a revised ceasefire and hostage release proposal is nearing completion. The plan, expected to reach Israeli leaders overnight, could mark a turning point in the 20-month-long war between Israel and Hamas, according to World Israel News.

Standing beside President Donald Trump, Witkoff said, “I think we’re on the verge of sending out a new term sheet.” The plan includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages and a temporary ceasefire. It also reportedly addresses the return of the remains of Israelis killed in Hamas captivity—an emotional issue for grieving families.

Witkoff confirmed that Trump would personally review the final proposal before it’s sent. “I have a very good feeling about reaching a long-term resolution—peace to this war,” he said. However, Israeli leaders remain cautious. They are concerned about vague language that may hide terms favorable to Hamas, especially on the topic of a permanent ceasefire—something Israel strongly opposes.

Israeli officials worry that such ambiguity could limit the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while allowing Hamas time to regroup. “This could tie our hands,” one official told World Israel News. “The language seems designed to please both sides, but it could backfire.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was quick to criticize the plan. Calling it “madness,” he warned that any deal short of Hamas’s full surrender would only help the group survive. “A partial deal would throw them a lifeline,” Smotrich said. “We must force Hamas into total surrender and bring back all hostages.”

Further complicating matters, World Israel News reported that the U.S. and Qatar have held backchannel talks—without Israel’s involvement. One diplomatic source said Trump is frustrated with Israel’s war strategy and wants a quicker resolution. Reportedly, he told aides he “wants this over.”

That impatience may explain why the White House is leaning on Qatar and other regional players to pressure Hamas. Still, Israeli officials say Hamas hasn’t shown any serious interest in peace. They labeled Hamas’s recent claims of a deal with the U.S. as “psychological warfare.”

According to World Israel News, Witkoff’s revised plan closely mirrors earlier U.S. proposals that Israel accepted but Hamas rejected. This time, however, the U.S. is pushing harder, motivated in part by Trump’s desire to end the war before it becomes a campaign issue in 2024.

While Israel is committed to rescuing hostages and recovering remains, its leaders argue that only military force has produced those results. Any ceasefire that leaves Hamas in power is unacceptable to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the IDF’s top command.

The Israeli War Cabinet is now under pressure to make a crucial decision. Should they accept a limited deal for immediate humanitarian gains? Or should they reject it to continue the broader military goal of dismantling Hamas?

Trump and Witkoff are expected to push the proposal strongly. They hope growing public and international pressure will sway Israeli leaders to accept a partial agreement. But with many Israelis demanding total victory, any leader who backs a “watered-down” deal risks a political backlash.

As families of hostages grow more desperate and the war drags on, Witkoff’s proposal may become a defining test. It will reveal not only the Netanyahu government’s resolve, but also the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance under Trump’s leadership.

What remains uncertain is whether this new proposal will close the gap between Washington and Jerusalem—or widen it further.