Hamas is open to a phased ceasefire and hostage agreement with Israel that would lead to a permanent ceasefire, a Palestinian official briefed on the matter told The Times of Israel on Monday.The Palestinian militant group is “prepared to return all of the hostages now” if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to end the Gaza war, the official said.
Earlier in the day, media reports claimed that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire proposal put forth by United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. However, Witkoff dismissed the reports, emphasizing that what he had seen from Hamas was “disappointing and completely unacceptable.”
Netanyahu: Hostage deal update hopefully today
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed on Monday his hope that the government will be able to provide a proper update on the negotiations about a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas later today, “and if not today, then tomorrow.”
In a video he shared on social media, Netanyahu added that returning the abductees is Israel’s “top priority,” while stressing that “we are doing everything to defeat Hamas and free our hostages.” Netanyahu’s comments came after United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said that Hamas did not agree to his ceasefire proposal, as reported, and that Israel accepted a partial truce, contrary to what was alleged.