(Reuters) – The United States is proposing a “bridge” plan to extend the ceasefire in Gaza into April beyond Ramadan and Passover and allow time to negotiate a permanent cessation of hostilities, the White House said in a statement on Friday.
The proposal was presented on Wednesday by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Council official Eric Trager, according to a statement issued by their offices.
“Through our Qatari and Egyptian partners, Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this “bridge” would have to be implemented soon — and that dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately,” it added.
(Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Susan Heavey)
