The Saudi network Al Arabiya reported Thursday evening that the American envoy Steve Witkoff had been told Israel and Hamas had agreed to a proposed 60-day ceasefire. The report also stated that US President Donald Trump is expected to announce the details of the agreement within hours.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "I can confirm that Witkoff and the president submitted a proposal to Hamas that Israel supported. It was signed by Israel before being sent to Hamas. Discussions are ongoing, and we hope a ceasefire will take place to bring all the hostages home."
Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said Hamas senior official Khalil al-Hayya is expected to issue a response to the new Witkoff framwork at 9 p.m. local time. However, another senior Hamas figure, Basem Naim, denied the reports about a statement from al-Hayya, who leads the group's negotiation team.
An Israeli political source said that contrary to the reports, Israel does not recognize any agreement by Hamas to the Witkoffframework. Hamas also denied the claims, with its Al-Aqsa TV channel reporting that the terrorist organization is still examining the latest proposal and that the published reports are inaccurate.
A US official confirmed that Hamas is indeed considering the proposal and has sent several clarifying questions regarding the phases of Israel Defense Forces' withdrawal and the full restoration of supply deliveries.
Earlier today, Hamas sources told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that the terrorist organization intends to thoroughly review the proposal before responding. However, they noted that "the proposal fails to meet many of Hamas' key demands, particularly those concerning a complete halt to the war and a guaranteed Israeli withdrawal."
According to Hamas sources, the new document leaves the issues of withdrawal and the end of hostilities to the discretion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the outcome of negotiations, which could collapse at any moment. They added that "the proposal leans more heavily toward Israeli conditions than Palestinian ones."
Nevertheless, sources within the terrorist group said that Hamas leadership would study the proposal before issuing a full response, including "remarks on its content, particularly concerning the entry of humanitarian aid."
Earlier, Hamas-affiliated commentator Ibrahim al-Madhoun addressed the Witkoff framwork, saying that while it is a bad deal, that does not mean it will be rejected, and that Hamas is still reviewing it. In an official statement, Hamas confirmed that its leadership has received the latest Witkoff framworkfrom mediators and is currently evaluating it. According to the statement, Hamas is studying the proposal "responsibly and in a way that serves Palestinian interests, provides relief, and leads to a permanent ceasefire."
