Hamas accepted the framework of a hostage-release cease-fire proposal that would include negotiations with Israel bolstered by US involvement to reach a permanent end to the war, according to reports.
The 60-day cease-fire proposal, crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and officials from Egypt and Qatar, includes the exchange of 30 deceased and 10 living hostages for a higher number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, officials familiar with the plan told The Wall Street Journal.
It also includes a timeline for the releases, with eight living hostages promised on the first day and two more on Day 50 — and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza.
If signed by the warring sides, it’s expected that President Trump would announce the deal, according to the report.
A Palestinian official had signaled Friday that Hamas’ response to the proposal was expected to be positive, according to the Associated Press.
And a copy of the proposal seen by the Journal shows its nearly identical to the same cease-fire deal proposed months ago.
Humanitarian aid will also flow more quickly into the war-torn areas of Gaza under its terms.
The development came as Gaza continues to face deadly starvation and outright famine on top of frequent Israeli airstrikes.
The UN’s human rights office has recorded hundreds of killings of Palestinians in the past month who were trying to obtain aid.
Negotiations were largely stagnant for months as Israel refused to commit to a firm end to the war and continued to push further into the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces said Friday it currently controls 65% of Gaza, as fighting intensified and senior Hamas commander Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Hamas and other terror groups in the territory like Palestinian Islamic Jihad have demanded “guarantees” amid the talks with Arab mediators that any proposal agreed to would begin a permanent end to the conflict.
Now, that end could be in sight, almost two years after the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack that started it all.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Tuesday.
“The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring Peace, will deliver this final proposal. I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
On Friday, the president added on Thursday of the discussions, “We’ll see what happens. We’re going to know over the next 24 hours.”
A previous Israeli-Hamas cease-fire had ended in January after negotiations stalled. Hamas is seeking a return of Israeli forces to positions it held on March 2.
The terror group massacred more than 1,200 Israelis as well as dozens of American citizens in the invasion that started the war. Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The Post reached out to the White House and a spokesman for Witkoff for comment.
With Post wires
