GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) A senior official in the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, Basem Naim, stated that the Movement’s leadership is responsibly and nationally studying the response to the proposal of the American envoy Steve Whitkoff.
In media statements made on Thursday evening, Naim explained that Hamas has received the Israeli response to the proposal that had been agreed upon with Witkoff last week.
He clarified that the core of the Israeli response effectively means the perpetuation of the occupation, the continuation of killing and starvation (even during the temporary truce period), and does not meet any of the Palestinian people’s demands, foremost among them an end to the war and famine.
Naim affirmed that the Movement’s leadership is studying the proposal with full national responsibility in light of the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people.
Text of the US proposal
The Israeli government has agreed to the proposal from US envoy concerning a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza, while Hamas is still studying the proposal. Israeli media reported that the new proposal is more biased toward Tel Aviv compared to previous proposals.
Here are the main points of the new American proposal, according to Al Jazeera Net:
• Duration: A 60-day ceasefire, with President Trump guaranteeing Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire for the agreed period.
• Captive Release: 10 living Israeli captives and 18 deceased captives from the “List of 58 captives” will be released on the first and seventh days. Half of the living and deceased captives (5 living and 9 deceased) will be released on day one. The remaining half (5 living and 9 deceased) will be released on day seven.
• Humanitarian Aid: Aid will be sent to Gaza immediately after Hamas agrees to the ceasefire agreement. Any agreement reached regarding aid for civilians will be respected throughout the agreement’s duration. Aid will be distributed through agreed channels, including the UN and the Red Crescent.
• Israeli Military Activities: All Israeli offensive military operations in Gaza will stop once the agreement takes effect.
During the ceasefire period, military and reconnaissance air activity over Gaza will be suspended for 10 hours daily, or 12 hours daily on prisoner exchange days.
• Israeli Army Redeployment:
• On day one, after the release of 5 living and 9 deceased captives, the Israeli army will redeploy from northern Gaza and the Netzarim Corridor, according to Article 3 on humanitarian aid and based on agreed-upon maps.
• On day seven, after the release of the remaining 5 living and 9 deceased captives, the army will redeploy from southern Gaza, also per Article 3 and agreed maps. Technical teams will define the final redeployment boundaries during proximity negotiations.
• Negotiations: On day one, negotiations will begin under the auspices of the guarantor mediators regarding arrangements for a permanent ceasefire, including:
• Terms and conditions for exchanging all remaining Israeli captives for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
• Issues related to the redeployment and withdrawal of Israeli forces and long-term security arrangements within Gaza.
• “Day-after” arrangements in Gaza raised by either party.
• A declaration of a permanent ceasefire.
• Presidential Support: US President Donald Trump is seriously committed to ensuring all parties adhere to the ceasefire agreement. He insists that negotiations during the temporary truce—if successfully concluded with an agreement—will lead to a permanent resolution of the conflict.
Palestinian prisoner release
In exchange for the release of the 10 living Israeli captives—and per Phase 1 of the January 19, 2025 Agreement on Captives and Prisoners—Israel will release 180 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,111 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after October 7, 2023.
In return for the remains of 18 Israeli captives, Israel will release 180 deceased Palestinians from Gaza.
The releases will happen simultaneously according to a mutually agreed mechanism, without any displays or public ceremonies. Half will occur on day one, and the other half on day seven.
Captive and prisoner status:
• On day 10, Hamas will provide complete information (proof of life and medical reports/proof of death) for each remaining captive.
• In exchange, Israel will provide full information on Palestinian detainees arrested from Gaza since October 7, and the number of deceased Palestinians held in Israel.
• Hamas will commit to ensuring the health, welfare, and safety of the captives during the ceasefire period.
Release of remaining captives by agreement:
• Negotiations on arrangements for a permanent ceasefire must be completed within the 60-day truce. After reaching an agreement, the remaining captives (alive and dead) from the “List of 58” presented by Israel will be released.
• If negotiations are not concluded within the specified timeframe, the temporary ceasefire may be extended under mutually agreed terms and durations, as long as both parties negotiate in good faith.
Guarantors:
• The mediators (the United States, Egypt, and Qatar) will guarantee the 60-day ceasefire and any agreed extensions. They will also ensure serious discussions on necessary agreements for a permanent ceasefire and will make every effort to ensure the negotiations are completed.
Envoy Leadership:
• Special envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in the region to finalize the agreement and will lead the negotiations.
President Trump:
• President Trump will personally announce the ceasefire agreement. The United States and President Trump will be committed to working to ensure that negotiations continue in good faith until a final agreement is reached.
