Hamas Signals Approval for U.S. Envoy Witkoff’s Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Amid Disputes Over Terms

Hamas has issued a "positive approval" to the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to a senior Palestinian official, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the 20-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. The proposed framework includes a permanent ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian aid, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian technical committee to govern the region.

Under the terms outlined in the proposal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 deceased individuals in exchange for the release of an agreed number of Palestinian detainees held by Israel. Humanitarian aid would flow into Gaza immediately upon the agreement’s implementation, with distribution managed by the United Nations and the Red Crescent.

Despite this apparent progress, significant disputes remain. Hamas has requested modifications to the proposal, particularly regarding U.S. assurances, the schedule for hostage releases, aid provisions, and the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawal. U.S. envoy Witkoff has publicly described Hamas’s response as "totally unacceptable," casting doubt on the immediate prospects for a final deal. Hamas, however, denies rejecting the proposal and insists it reached an agreement with Witkoff last week, only for a revised version to be presented later by the U.S. side.

The Israeli government has not issued an official statement, but media reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed hostage families that Israel had accepted the U.S. proposal and was awaiting Hamas’s formal response. The proposal, as detailed by sources familiar with the negotiations, would begin with a 60-day ceasefire and the phased release of hostages, with broader discussions on a permanent ceasefire to follow.

As negotiations continue, both sides remain entrenched on key issues. Hamas demands guarantees for a permanent end to hostilities and a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Israel maintains that any truce must ensure the release of all hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities. The U.S. and international mediators are now under pressure to bridge the remaining gaps and secure a durable ceasefire as humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen.