U.S. circulating cease-fire proposal for Gaza

Update, 1:46 p.m.

Late Thursday, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations began circulating a final draft proposal for an immediate cease-fire resolution in Gaza, according to a report by The Associated Press. The proposal also calls for the terrorist group Hamas to release the remaining Israeli hostages who were kidnapped during the Oct. 7 attacks. A date has not yet been set for a vote. Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield had demanded the United Nations Security Council call on Hamas to agree to an already-proposed cease-fire deal and to agree to the release of hostages.

Hasn’t the U.S. already proposed a cease-fire resolution? Last month, the U.S. began circulating an initial draft proposal for a cease-fire resolution. It called for a temporary cease-fire as soon as practically possible. This latest draft reportedly calls for an “immediate and sustained” cease-fire.

Initial report with small update, 12:15 p.m. 

Hamas offers hostage release counterproposal, aid ship arrives

Israeli officials on Friday were considering the cease-fire offer, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office. The Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas on Thursday proposed setting free dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Hamas proposal contained “unrealistic demands.” Earlier this week, Netanyahu told the families of Israeli hostages that Qatar was putting pressure on Hamas to reach a deal with Israel and that it was “beginning to work.”

How many hostages does Hamas still have? The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that roughly 130 hostages remain in Gaza. The American Jewish Committee late last month corroborated that number and reported that roughly 30 of those hostages could already be dead. Hamas captured roughly 240 hostages during its initial assault on Oct. 7, 2023.

What’s going on in the war? The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry on Friday claimed that Israeli shelling had killed 20 people and wounded roughly 155 in Kuwait Square, or roundabout, in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces have denied responsibility for the injuries and deaths. The Israeli military, meanwhile, is preparing to invade the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian aid organization Open Arms said on Friday its ship of the same name was off the coast of Gaza. The ship was carrying 200 tons of lentils, flour, rice, and tuna, which could provide 1 million meals for people in Gaza.

Dig deeper: Listen to Cal Thomas’ commentary on The World and Everything in It podcast about how the war in Gaza is a battle for Israel’s survival.