Israel Approves US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza During Ramadan and Passover
Jerusalem, March 02, 2025 – Israel has given the green light to a United States proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, extending the truce through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. The announcement came from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday, just as the initial 42-day ceasefire with Hamas was set to expire.
The plan, proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to maintain peace during these significant religious periods, with Ramadan ending around March 30 and Passover spanning mid-April.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, saw Hamas release 33 hostages and Israel free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Now, as talks for a lasting solution falter, Israel has endorsed this temporary extension to bridge the gap. Under Witkoff’s outline, half of the remaining 59 hostages—both alive and dead—would be released on the first day, with the rest freed if a permanent ceasefire is agreed upon later.
However, Hamas has repeatedly rejected extending the initial phase, pushing instead for the second stage, which promises a full end to the war and the release of all captives.
ALSO READ | Trinamool Slams EC Over ‘Fraud of EPIC Proportions’ in Voter ID Ahead Of West Bengal Election 2026
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged both sides on Sunday to honor the ceasefire commitments. “Total compliance is crucial for stability in Gaza,” he said, amid growing regional concerns. Egypt is set to host Arab foreign ministers on Monday, followed by a summit on Tuesday, to discuss rebuilding Gaza.
The country is also mobilizing Arab nations to oppose a controversial US plan under President Donald Trump to resettle Palestinians and transform Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East,” a move critics call a bid to erase Palestinian presence.
Despite Israel’s approval, Hamas’s refusal to budge has raised fears of renewed conflict. The war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has left Gaza in ruins, with over 48,000 deaths reported by the territory’s health ministry. As of March 02, 2025, the ceasefire hangs in the balance, with the international community watching closely for a resolution to this 15-month crisis.
