A new U.S. peace proposal has been unveiled with bold promises — chief among them: if Israel accepts the plan and all sides cooperate, all hostages (alive or deceased) will be returned within 72 hours. The milestone condition is already being called dramatic, but putting it into action faces many challenges.
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What the Plan Proposes

The plan is built around a 20-point agreement that lays out steps to end the war in Gaza, rebuild the territory, and stabilize governance.
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Here’s how the hostage release part is supposed to work:

Ceasefire & suspension of hostilities: Once Israel publicly agrees to the deal, military operations (airstrikes, artillery, etc.) would be paused, and frontlines frozen while forces reposition.
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Hostage release in 72 hours: Within 72 hours of that agreement, all hostages — living or dead — would be returned to their families.
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Prisoner exchange thereafter: After the hostages are freed, Israel would release 250 Palestinians with life sentences and roughly 1,700 detainees arrested since October 7, 2023, including women and children.
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Amnesty & safe passage: Hamas members willing to disarm and commit to peaceful coexistence may receive amnesty, while those preferring to leave Gaza could be offered safe passage to other countries.
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The plan also describes a temporary governance structure led by a technocratic Palestinian committee, overseen by an international “Board of Peace” with Trump and others.
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Why This Release Timeline Is Central

The 72-hour timeline is meant to signal urgency and confidence. It aims to:

Provide swift justice for families of hostages

Build momentum for trust among parties

Demonstrate seriousness and goodwill in negotiations

The plan also links this quick release to a broader ceasefire, making the hostage clause a make-or-break part of the agreement.

The Big Questions & Obstacles

While the plan is bold, it has many uncertain points:

Hamas has not committed
Although Israel has accepted the plan, Hamas has not formally agreed yet, making the 72-hour pledge contingent on its approval.
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Verification and logistics
Identifying every hostage, verifying statuses, coordinating with intermediaries, and ensuring safe handovers will be extremely complex.

Trust is weak
Given past broken ceasefires or delays, some parties and hostages’ families may doubt whether the conditions will truly be met.

What if something fails?
If any party reneges, the plan’s momentum could collapse. Netanyahu has already warned that Israel will “finish the job” if Hamas rejects the plan.
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Potential Impacts

If it works, the plan could:

Bring a dramatic turnaround in the conflict

Release hostages and ease the humanitarian strain

Shift power dynamics in Gaza’s governance

Open space for reconstruction and international aid

But if it fails, it could lead to renewed fighting, broken trust, and possible disillusionment among civilians and hostages’ families.

Conclusion

The revealed peace plan carries one of its boldest promises in the 72-hour hostage release clause. If agreed and acted upon, it could mark a breakthrough. But the path is steep: all parties must trust each other, coordinate precisely, and follow through under heavy scrutiny. Whether this plan will turn words into peace—or fade under the weight of reality—will be among the most important developments in Gaza’s future.