Hamas has agreed to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 more, but the terms of the proposed deal have been deemed unacceptable by the U.S. and Israel.
The group, on the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations since 1997, announced the decision on a Saturday, conditioning the hostage release and body return to obtaining the liberation of Palestinian prisoners as part of the effort to establish a lasting ceasefire.
Israeli media outlets have reported that in response to the proposal by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas introduced additional demands, such as a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli retreat from Gaza, and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian assistance into the enclave.
Witkoff’s proposal did not include a full withdrawal or a ceasefire, the Jerusalem Post reported, and that Hamas added terms of its own.
In a statement posted to X on Saturday, Witkoff called Hamas’ response to the American proposal “totally unacceptable” and warned it “only takes us backward.” He urged the group to accept the original framework in order to begin proximity talks as early as next week, which could pave the way for a 60-day ceasefire and the return of both living and deceased hostages.
The latest proposal being negotiated involves the release of 10 living hostages and a number of bodies during a 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks, The Associated Press reported Friday, citing a Hamas official and an Egyptian official speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. negotiators had not publicized the terms of the proposal.
Witkoff’s office reiterated on social media that the proposed deal could allow “half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased” to return to their families if Hamas agrees to enter talks under the current terms.
The statement stressed that the window to finalize the deal is narrowing, and that major negotiations could begin “in good faith” within days if Hamas accepts.
“As stated by the U.S. President’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff: Hamas’ response is unacceptable and sets the situation back,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Hamas fighters stand in formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, Feb. 8. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump said Friday that negotiators were nearing a deal.
“They’re very close to an agreement on Gaza, and we’ll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow,” Trump told reporters in Washington. Late in the evening, asked if he was confident Hamas would approve the deal, he told reporters: “They’re in a big mess. I think they want to get out of it.”
Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March.
Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force and return all hostages still held in Gaza before it agrees to end the war. Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
