Hamas responds ‘positively' to US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, but has a few notes
Hamas said on Saturday that it has responded 'positively' to a ceasefire proposal from US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The militant group was also seeking some amendments, a senior official with the group told The Associated Press.
'There some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces,' the official said.
The proposal targets a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid, according to a separate statement. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released 'in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners'.
Israeli officials approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war and US President Donald Trump had said negotiators were nearing a deal.
A ceasefire would pause the fighting for 60 days, release some of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and much-needed food aid and other assistance, according to Hamas and Egyptian officials.
The group said the deal should lead to a permanent end to the war, a position that has been a major sticking point in past negotiations.
According to a statement cited by Reuters, Hamas said its reply came after 'a round of national consultations' and that the offer aims to secure a lasting ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the continued delivery of humanitarian aid.
The group said it would release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for the release of an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. These terms align with Witkoff's recent proposal, reported by Reuters.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office has not responded to the latest statement.
Talks to reach a new ceasefire have been difficult. Israel says it will only agree to end the war if Hamas disarms and is removed from power. Hamas, in turn, has said it will not give up its weapons and insists that Israel must pull out of Gaza and end the military campaign.
The current conflict began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's military response has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health authorities say, with much of the territory heavily damaged.
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