Israel Approves Trump's Latest Gaza Truce Plan

Israel has signed off on the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza before it was sent to the Palestinian Hamas group, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.

- Agencies

GAZA STRIP/WASHINGTON:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Palestinian militant group had earlier said it was examining a new deal proposed by Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

"I can confirm that Special Envoy Witkoff and the president submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas, that Israel backed and supported. Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas," Leavitt said.

"I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home," Leavitt told reporters.

The spokeswoman later declined to confirm reports in Saudi and Israeli media that both sides had reached a 60-day ceasefire agreement and that Trump was poised to make an announcement.

"If there is an announcement to be made, it will come from the White House — the president, myself, or special envoy Witkoff," Leavitt said.