Palestinian representative states Hamas accepts the Gaza proposal, while Israel rejects it.

On Monday, a Palestinian official announced that Hamas has concurred with a ceasefire proposal from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, but an Israeli official rejected the notion that the proposal originated from Washington, stating no Israeli government could agree to it.

Witkoff dismissed the idea that Hamas had agreed to his proposal for a hostage exchange and ceasefire in Gaza, stating to Reuters that what he witnessed was “entirely unacceptable” and that the proposal under consideration differed from his own.

A Palestinian official affiliated with Hamas informed Reuters that the proposal involves the release of 10 hostages and a 70-day ceasefire, which was communicated to Hamas via intermediaries. It also entailed the release of several Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds with long sentences.

An Israeli official rejected the proposal, stating that no accountable government would accept such an agreement and denying that the deal resembled one suggested by Witkoff.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said in a recorded message on social media he “hoped very much” he would be able to deliver developments on the subject of Israel’s fight against Hamas and releasing the hostages, “today and if not today then we will tomorrow”.

On March 18, Israel officially terminated a January truce with Hamas and resumed its military operations in Gaza. Two days later, Hamas and affiliated groups initiated rocket fire and assaults.

Hamas has stated that it is prepared to release all remaining captives taken by its militants during the assaults on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, and is willing to accept a lasting ceasefire if Israel fully withdraws from Gaza.

Netanyahu stated that Israel would only consider a temporary ceasefire if hostages are released, asserting that the conflict will only conclude with the elimination of Hamas.

Israel initiated an air and ground offensive in Gaza following a cross-border assault by Hamas militants, which, according to Israeli estimates, resulted in 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken into Gaza. The fighting has resulted in the deaths of almost 54,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza health officials, and severely impacted the coastal region. Relief organizations report that indications of acute malnutrition are prevalent.