US special envoy Steve Witkoff has said that a ceasefire-hostage deal for Gaza is currently on the table with a pathway to end the war, and urged Hamas to accept it.
The proposal would see the release of half of the living hostages and half of those who have died in exchange for a temporary ceasefire before negotiations begin for a comprehensive agreement to end the war.
He declined to specify how long that temporary truce would last, which has been a key issue in the negotiations.
“Israel will agree to a temporary ceasefire/hostage deal that would see half of the living and half of the deceased return and lead to substantive negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire, which I have agreed to preside over,” Witkoff said on Monday. “That deal is on the table. Hamas should take it.”
“What I have seen is completely unacceptable,” Witkoff said, referring to the report.
He said Hamas has yet to accept the deal.
Reuters reported earlier on Monday that Hamas had agreed to a proposal that would see the release of 10 hostages in two groups in exchange for a 70-day truce. Witkoff said that was not his proposal.
In a video message posted to social media on Monday night, Netanyahu said getting the hostages released is a top priority.
“I very much hope we’ll have something to announce on that front,” he said. “And if not today, then tomorrow – we are not giving up.”
Two Israeli officials later clarified that there was “no progress” in the negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal and that “Hamas continued to hold firm in its refusal.”
“The prime minister meant that a breakthrough could happen only if Hamas aligns with the Israeli position,” one of the officials said.
