Israeli soldiers in Gaza. (IDF)
Senior Israeli official denies reports that Israel has agreed to framework proposed by Hamas in which five living hostages and five dead captives would be returned to Israel during 70-day ceasefire.
By World Israel News Staff
A senior Israeli official on Monday denied reports that Israel has accepted in principle an offer put forward by Hamas for a 70-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, multiple media outlets have reported.
The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen television channel, which is affiliated with the Hezbollah terror group, claimed that Israel has agreed to conduct negotiations on the basis of a proposal floated by Hamas according to which 10 hostages would be returned to Israel during a 70-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of jailed Arab terrorists.
According to the report, five of the 10 hostages would be among the remaining 20 who are alive, while the remains of five dead hostages would also be returned.
In addition to freeing jailed Arab terrorists, the Hamas plan would also require Israel to retreat from much of the Gaza Strip, ceding all positions taken by the IDF since the resumption of hostilities in mid-March.
Hamas has also reportedly demanded American recognition as a condition for the deal.
The offer alters the so-called “Witkoff outline,” drafted by White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which calls for a 50-60 day ceasefire in exchange for roughly 10 living hostages.
“There is no genuine willingness on Hamas’ part to move forward with a deal. Israel remains committed to the Witkoff framework,” a senior Israeli official said, denying the Al-Mayadeen reportthat Israel had agreed to the proposal in principle.
The proposal was conveyed to Israel by Bashara Bahbah, an Arab-American businessman who has reportedly established a line of communication between the Trump administration and Hamas, the official claimed.
Another Israeli official cited by The Jerusalem Post said the Hamas plan was “very far away from the outline that we are willing to negotiation on.”
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