US envoy Witkoff pressures Israel & Hamas to accept new hostage-ceasefire proposal that could lead to end of war

U.S. special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, delivered a new hostage-ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas and is actively pressuring both sides to accept it, Axios reported. 

The agreement would offer the release of half of the living and deceased hostages immediately, in exchange for a ceasefire lasting between 45 and 60 days, the release of several hundred Palestinian prisoners, including terror offenders, and the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

According to The Jerusalem Post, if it is accepted, 10 living hostages and the remains of around 10 to 15 deceased hostages would be released first.

While the updated proposal is said to be similar to the previous “Witkoff proposal” that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted earlier this year, the revised language more explicitly links the hostage-ceasefire agreement to a broader framework for ending the war in Gaza.

The reported changes to the proposal were made in response to concerns from Hamas that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might resume military operations after the initial group of hostages is released.

"The new offer tries to give Hamas confidence that it's worth moving forward with a partial deal now, because it could lead to the end of the war later on," a source familiar with the negotiations told the Axios news outlet.

An Israeli source told Axios that the new Witkoff proposal is being discussed directly between Witkoff and the relevant parties. Witkoff has recently held direct talks with Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, hile also engaging in backchannel talks with Hamas through Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who previously helped Witkoff secure the release of Edan Alexander.

"The talks in Doha in recent days are a facade. This is not where the real negotiations are taking place at the moment. If Hamas and Israel agree to the principles of the Witkoff proposal, the negotiations will move to Doha to discuss the details," an Israeli official told Axios. 

Netanyahu has reportedly responded positively to the proposal in principle, but has presented some conditions and reservations, demanding that any permanent ceasefire be dependent on Hamas disarming and leaving the Gaza Strip. 

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the Israeli negotiation team continues the talks in Doha “to exhaust every possibility for a deal – whether according to the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the fighting, which would include the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of the Strip.”

This was the first time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged the possibility that a ceasefire deal could lead to an end to the war, however, while insisting on the release of all hostages and the end of Hamas’ control over Gaza.had

Hamas leadership has not yet responded, however, it is said to be disappointed that Alexander's release did not appear to change Washington's position. 

According to the proposal, Israel will not be required to withdraw entirely from the Gaza Strip but only from territories taken during the previous Operation "Strength and Sword," and will continue to maintain a presence in the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors. 

Meanwhile, CNN claimed that a senior Hamas official said it is willing to release between 7 and 9 hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 300 Palestinian prisoners. It is also demanding that Israel withdraw east of the Salah al-Din route, which runs north to south through the enclave.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri denied the report, saying Hamas is only willing to release all the hostages in a single exchange, contingent on Israel ending the war.

According to Al Jazeera, Abu Zuhri said the reports are false, designed to create confusion and to put “pressure on the resistance”, allowing Israel to continue military operations. 

He also posted a message to the Al-Aqsa TV Telegram channel, denying the reports. 

“There is no truth to the rumors regarding the movement’s agreement to release nine Israeli prisoners in exchange for a two-month ceasefire,” Abu Zuhri wrote. 

“We are ready to release the prisoners all at once, provided the occupation commits to a cessation of hostilities under international guarantees,” he continued, "and we will not hand over the occupation’s prisoners as long as it insists on continuing its aggression against Gaza indefinitely.” 

A senior Israeli official told Channel 13 News that Israel is willing to discuss the end of the war “on our terms.” 

"We are definitely discussing ending the war as well,” the official said, “but only on our terms, which include both exile and demilitarization of Gaza.” 

Axios said Hamas has continued to reject any calls for the group to disarm and leave the Gaza Strip.