Israeli officials said late on Thursday that contrary to reports in the Saudi Arabian media, Hamas has not yet accepted the terms proposed in the framework for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, after Israel said it accepts the terms.
The Saudi outlet Al Arabiya reported earlier that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, with U.S. President Donald Trump expected to announce the agreement shortly. The report came two hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel accepted the updated framework offered by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to the report, Witkoff was briefed on the deal though there has been no Israeli confirmation on the matter. Al Arabiya cited unnamed sources saying: “The parties agreed to a 60-day ceasefire. The U.S. envoy has been informed. Trump is expected to announce the details within hours.”
Israeli officials commented shortly after the report was recieved, saying Israel had no knowledge of Hamas' agreement to the term. Meanwhile, Hamas is set to hold a press conference at 9 p.m. local time.
During a meeting earlier today with the hostages’ families, Netanyahu said Israel accepts the proposal. Hamas, however, issued a statement saying its leadership had received the updated Witkoff proposal from mediators and is “studying it responsibly, while safeguarding the interests of our people, ensuring humanitarian aid and striving for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”
The proposed deal, presented to Israel overnight, would begin with a formal declaration of a 60-day ceasefire. Within the first week, Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others, in two phases. Of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, Israeli officials believe 20 are alive and “up to 38” are deceased.
During the ceasefire, negotiations would take place to end the war. If an agreement is reached on the principles for ending the war, all remaining hostages—both living and deceased—would be released.
If not, according to sources familiar with the terms, Israel would retain the option to resume military operations. Another possibility being discussed is extending the ceasefire in exchange for the release of additional hostages.
Under the framework, Israel would release 125 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 additional Palestinian inmates arrested after October 7. It would also return the bodies of 180 terrorists in two phases. On the 10th day of the ceasefire, Hamas would submit a full list with detailed medical reports on the remaining living hostages.
The new offer's key elements:
1. Duration: A 60-day ceasefire. Trump guarantees Israel’s compliance for the entire period.
2. Hostage release: Hamas will release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 deceased, all from a list of 58. On day one: 5 living and 9 deceased. On day seven: remaining 5 living and 9 deceased.
3. Humanitarian aid: Aid will be delivered to Gaza immediately after Hamas agrees to the ceasefire. Distribution will continue throughout the truce and will be handled through agreed-upon channels, including the UN and the Red Crescent.
4. IDF military activity: All Israeli offensive operations in Gaza will halt once the ceasefire begins. Daily air activity (military and surveillance) will be suspended for 10 hours per day or 12 hours on days when hostages and prisoners are released.
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Khalil al-Hayya, Steve Witkoff, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: REUTERS/Nir Elias, REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein, Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP, REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
5. IDF redeployment:
- Day 1: After the first group of hostages is released, the IDF will reposition in northern Gaza and the Netzarim Corridor according to agreed humanitarian aid maps.
- Day 7: After the second group is released, redeployment will continue in southern Gaza, also per the humanitarian coordination maps.
- Final deployment lines will be worked out by technical teams during ongoing talks.
6. Negotiations: Talks begin on day one to establish terms for a permanent ceasefire, including:
- a. Conditions for releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
- b. Israeli military withdrawal and future security arrangements in Gaza.
- c. Governance and civil arrangements for Gaza’s post-war future.
- d. A formal declaration of permanent ceasefire.
7. Presidential backing: Trump is committed to seeing the temporary ceasefire lead to a lasting agreement and insists that negotiations continue in good faith.
8. Prisoner release: In exchange for the 10 living hostages, Israel will release 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,111 Gazans arrested after October 7, 2023. In exchange for the 18 bodies, Israel will return 180 bodies of Gazans. Releases will take place in parallel, without public ceremonies—half on day one, half on day seven.
9. Disclosure of hostage and prisoner conditions: On day 10, Hamas will provide full information (proof of life or death and medical reports) for the remaining hostages. Israel will provide corresponding information on Gazan prisoners held since October 7 and on the number of Gazan bodies in its custody. Hamas commits to safeguarding the hostages’ health and security throughout the ceasefire.
10. Final hostage release:
• Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire are expected to conclude within 60 days. If successful, the remaining hostages from the list of 58 will be released.
• If talks don’t conclude in time, the temporary truce may be extended under mutually agreed terms, as long as good faith negotiations continue.
11. Guarantees:
• The U.S., Egypt and Qatar will serve as guarantors for the full 60-day ceasefire and any agreed extensions.
• The guarantors will ensure serious engagement in talks and make all efforts to finalize a permanent deal.
12. Lead negotiator:
• U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will oversee the implementation of the agreement and lead negotiations on the ground.
13. Trump’s role:
• Trump will personally announce the ceasefire deal.
• Both the U.S. and the Trump administration are committed to sustaining the negotiations until a final agreement is reached.
If the deal moves forward, Trump is expected to officially announce the ceasefire, with the U.S., Qatar and Egypt acting as guarantors. Witkoff is expected to arrive in the region to finalize the terms.
Reports published Thursday suggested the UN would resume distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza, replacing the American firm currently overseeing operations. Israel would also withdraw to its pre-war lines—remaining along the Philadelphi Corridor but pulling back from the Morag Corridor.
However, a senior Israeli official disputed those reports Thursday night, saying, “Contrary to what’s been published, the Witkoff framework currently on the table does not define a new line for our troop deployment, nor does it determine how aid will be distributed during the ceasefire.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel accepts the framework for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu spoke with the families of hostages who were killed and were still held by Hamas.
Senior Israeli officials said Hamas may not agree to the deal because it does not include a commitment to end the war. If Hamas accepts the proposal, it will likely be approved by the cabinet, they said, adding that although far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir would likely vote against it, they would have no reason to bring down the government.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netnyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump
(Photo: Tal Shahar, Al Manar, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP, Alex Brandon/AP,REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah)
Under the framework, the 10 living hostages and half of the deceased will be returned in two phases, a week apart. The fate of the remaining hostages would depend on the outcome of the ceasefire negotiations. If no agreement is reached within the 60-day period, Israel would have the option to resume military operations.
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Families of the hostages are deeply concerned about who will be included in the initial list for release. Israeli officials acknowledge that choosing between hostages is a "cruel decision" that could "tear families apart." While Israel has requested the prioritization of humanitarian cases, officials admitted that after more than 600 days under harsh captivity conditions, "everyone is already considered humanitarian."
If implemented, the ceasefire would see humanitarian aid to Gaza restored through the United Nations and international organizations. This would mark a reversal of Israel’s efforts to bypass Hamas in delivering aid directly to Gaza residents. Critics warn that a reprise of the old distribution method could strengthen Hamas’ control over the enclave.
First published: 20:29, 05.29.25