Hamas has addressed the proposal from US special envoy Steve Whitcoff regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. However, they are framing their own conditions without giving a clear positive or negative response to the proposal.
In a preliminary reaction, an anonymous Israeli official informed reporters that the Netanyahu administration views Hamas’s reply as “essentially a rejection.”
Nonetheless, according to a source involved in the negotiations, as reported by the Times of Israel, mediators continue to work on addressing some of the amendments suggested by Hamas. The source indicated that Hamas’s conditions could complicate Israel’s ability to resume fighting if a permanent ceasefire deal is not reached by the conclusion of the 60-day truce.
The Egyptian outlet Al-Rad reports that Hamas demands the return of hostages to occur in five stages, rather than two during the first week.
This exchange entails 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in return for a specified number of Palestinian prisoners.
Sources cited by the Times of Israel state that Hamas intends to release four live hostages on the first day of the 60-day ceasefire, two on the 10th and 30th days, and an additional four on the last day of the arrangement.
Additionally, Hamas proposes returning the bodies of hostages on the 30th and 50th days of the ceasefire.
Moreover, Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and assurances for the flow of aid to Palestinians.
According to sources interviewed by the Times of Israel, Hamas is inclined to accept the US proposal with certain reservations primarily focus on preventing Israel from resuming military actions following the proposed temporary truce.
While the specifics of the US plan have not been disclosed, Reuters highlights the following key points:
– A 60-day ceasefire
– Release of 28 Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, in the first week, with an additional 30 to be released once a permanent ceasefire is established
– Release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 deceased Palestinians
– Humanitarian aid to Gaza via the United Nations and other organizations
In the meantime, Israel’s government issued a warning to Hamas on Friday, stating that they must either accept the US ceasefire proposal and the terms for hostages’ release or face “total destruction.” This comes as US President Donald Trump remarked that a ceasefire is “very close.”
However, by Friday, Hamas was already asserting that Israel’s response to the US proposal failed to meet any of the Palestinian “just and legitimate demands.” Official Bassem Naim reiterated this stance to Reuters, following comments from an unnamed Hamas official indicating that the organization would reject the US proposal due to its failure to address essential demands.
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