Hamas announced on Saturday that it has submitted its official response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, through mediators Egypt and Qatar. In a statement issued by the group, Hamas outlined a set of key demands including a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and guarantees for the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the territory. While the statement did not explicitly confirm acceptance of the US proposal, it emphasized that the response was the result of extensive national consultations and reflected the group's "responsibility toward the suffering of the Palestinian people." The Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing government sources, reported that Hamas is seeking modifications to the Witkoff proposal, despite submitting a formal reply to the mediators. The proposal, backed by US President Donald Trump's administration, had earlier been accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It outlines a phased agreement including a prisoner exchange and Israeli military redeployment inside Gaza. According to details shared by regional and international sources, the plan calls for Hamas to release 10 Israeli captivesand hand over the remains of 18 deceased individuals in exchange for: 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, 1,111 detainees from Gaza captured after October 7, 2023, and 180 Palestinian bodies. The releases would be implemented in two phases: the first group on day one, and the second on day seven, without public ceremonies. The deal also includes the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations and the Red Crescent. The ceasefire would remain in effect throughout the implementation period and any agreed extensions. Following the exchange phases, the proposal requires a gradual redeployment of Israeli forces inside Gaza, beginning from the north and the Netzarim corridor down to the south. Israel has carried out a prolonged and deadly offensive in Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 54,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local health authorities. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of a looming famine affecting more than two million residents of the enclave. International legal proceedings are also underway. In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its conduct in Gaza. — Agencies
