Smoke arising after an air raid by Israel in Gaza on May 6, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Cairo will begin discussions on the proposal Thursday with mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar. This latest attempt to reach a Gaza ceasefire comes days before President Donald Trump begins a Middle East tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

According to UAE media, the US proposal provides for the release of 6 live Israeli hostages and the remains of 6 hostages who died in captivity. Israel will free an as-yet unspecified number of Palestinians detained in its prisons.

According to sources, the US proposal makes no mention of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza or a permanent ceasefire, two long-standing demands by Hamas.