U.S. reviewing truce deal after Hamas accepts, White House says
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'I don't think it's a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social,' Leavitt said at a press briefing at the White House.
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The talks coincide with IDF preparations for the seizure of Gaza City, seemingly with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Monday said that the remaining hostages would return only when Hamas is 'confronted and destroyed.'
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'Three weeks ago that proposal was on the table and they slow-played us, Hamas. And the president put out his Truth statement saying that he wasn't going to tolerate it anymore and guess what happened? There's been a major break. They've issued the announcement and they've said they want a peace deal,' Witkoff said.
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He continued: 'The president has been very decisive and straightforward in his Truth. He wants all the hostages back and that is the position that we have. We want all the hostages back. That conflict should end immediately. Twenty hostages should be returned to their families, a commensurate amount of Palestinian prisoners to be released as well, and just let's end that thing and bring peace and solitude to the Gazan people and rebuild Gaza as it should be rebuilt as the president has set forth.'
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According to Arab media, the proposal features a partial pullout of Israeli forces from some areas of the Gaza Strip, the release of 10 out of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas and the release of more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel during a 60-day ceasefire.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation on Monday, stated that Hamas was 'under immense pressure' as the terrorist group signalled a willingness to negotiate after previously refusing several offers.
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Netanyahu also visited the IDF's Gaza Division, where he expressed his 'tremendous appreciation' for the 'great achievements' of Israel's military in the Gaza war, which he termed both a 'War of Redemption' and a 'War on Seven Fronts.'
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The prime minister's political allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have vocally opposed any partial deal that does not secure the release of all hostages and a total defeat of Hamas.
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