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Hamas has responded to the ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, emphasizing that any agreement must lead to a permanent end to the Gaza conflict. In a statement released Saturday, the militant group indicated it would release 10 living Israeli captives and return the bodies of 18 deceased in exchange for a negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas stressed that the proposal aims to secure a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees for the continuous flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the territory. The group’s response followed extensive national consultations and, while generally affirmative, reportedly seeks some modifications to the original terms.
Meanwhile, Israel has blocked a planned visit by Arab foreign ministers to the West Bank, citing security concerns and labeling the meeting as provocative.
The delegation, which included ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, intended to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah ahead of an international conference on Palestinian statehood scheduled for June in New York.
Israeli officials opposed the visit, arguing that such initiatives threaten Israel’s security and stability. The move drew condemnation from Arab states and Palestinian officials, who viewed it as an obstruction to diplomatic engagement.
The ceasefire talks come amid nearly 20 months of intense conflict that began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of approximately 250 hostages. Israeli military operations have since caused the deaths of more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, leaving the region devastated.
