As optimism grows in Israel over the possibility of a breakthrough in ceasefire talks and a hostage release deal, key details of the proposal currently on the table have been revealed. Under the plan, Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in five separate phases. In return, Israel would agree to a two-month ceasefire and to the release of high-level Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli officials said Thursday morning that a sense of cautious optimism surrounds the negotiations. According to those close to the process, Hamas appears to be showing signs of “flexibility,” and should the terror group respond positively to the revised proposal, an Israeli delegation is expected to travel to Qatar by the weekend to begin direct negotiations.
Senior American officials, led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, are working urgently to finalize the deal ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the White House next week.
The proposed framework includes a two-month suspension of Israeli military activity in Gaza. If serious negotiations on ending the war are underway at the end of that period, the ceasefire would continue. President Donald Trump has pledged to serve as guarantor of the agreement, ensuring that Israel extends the ceasefire as long as meaningful talks toward a permanent end to the conflict are ongoing.
According to the new terms, Hamas would release eight of the living hostages during the first week of the ceasefire. The remaining two would be freed on the 50th day. Meanwhile, the bodies of 18 fallen hostages would be returned in three separate batches throughout the 60-day truce.
In a significant concession, Israel would release a number of convicted Palestinian terrorists with blood on their hands—prisoners it had previously refused to free.
Reports in Arab media overnight stated that Hamas is “satisfied” with the revised proposal and is expected to deliver its official response by Friday.
In an official statement issued late Wednesday night, Hamas said, “Mediators are making intensive efforts to bridge the gaps between the parties and reach a framework agreement by opening a serious round of negotiations.”
The statement added, “We are acting with the utmost responsibility and are consulting with the Palestinian factions regarding the proposals forwarded by the mediators, in the hope of reaching an agreement that will bring an end to Israeli aggression, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and secure the flow of supplies to Gaza residents.”
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the talks Wednesday, saying, “My representatives held a long and productive meeting today with the Israelis about Gaza. Israel has agreed to the terms necessary to implement a 60-day ceasefire, during which we will work with all parties to bring an end to the war.”
He added a warning directed at Hamas: “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked hard to advance peace, will convey this final offer. I hope, for the sake of the Middle East, that Hamas will accept the deal, because the situation will not get better—it will only get worse. Thank you for your attention to this important matter!”
{Matzav.com Israel}
I don’t usually post here but what a disgrace that you call them captives! They are hostages, not captives. Go to Al Jazeera and call them “captives”.
This is a big mistake! Mr Trump may have done good things in general but he often does not care about the contents of the deal but just wants to get “the deal” done, whatever it may be. Maybe the logic here is that many of these terrorists can be easily rearrested by the dozen
Who gave the murderous terrorists the right to dictate the when, where, and how of the hosta