Hamas pledges to free 10 hostages but seeks permanent ceasefire in response to US plan | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Ceasefire in Gaza
• Hamas response to ceasefire proposal
• Hostage release (living and deceased)
• Palestinian prisoner release
• Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
• Unrestricted aid flow to Gaza
• Permanent ceasefire vs. temporary truce
• US mediation (Steve Wickoff)
• Israeli approval of proposal
• Guarantees against return to war

Hamas's Response to Ceasefire Proposal

• Hamas has responded to a ceasefire proposal presented by President Trump's envoy, Steve Wickoff.
• Hamas stated it is prepared to release 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 dead hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. This aligns with the numbers in Wickoff's proposal.
• However, Hamas also issued a detailed response disagreeing with other parts of the proposal.
• Hamas reiterated its long-standing demands: a permanent ceasefire (end to the war), a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unrestricted aid flow into Gaza. These demands are not included in the current proposal.
• The response is not a clear acceptance or rejection, as Hamas is under pressure to accept a deal but the proposal doesn't fully address its demands.

Israeli Perspective and US Mediation

• The White House stated that Israel had approved the proposal before it was presented to Hamas.
• Hamas was reportedly surprised by the proposal, as they believed earlier discussions with US officials indicated their concerns would be better addressed.
• A key point of contention is Hamas's desire for guarantees that the temporary 60-day truce could evolve into a permanent ceasefire, preventing a return to war. They seek guarantees from the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
• Israel has consistently maintained its option to resume fighting after any truce period.
• Israeli sources, as reported in the Israeli press, view Hamas's response as a rejection of the Wickoff proposal, essentially a counter-proposal.

Conclusion

The situation remains complex, with Hamas offering a conditional acceptance of the hostage release terms but insisting on broader demands for a permanent end to the conflict. The core disagreement lies in the duration and conditions of a ceasefire, with Hamas seeking guarantees against a return to war and Israel maintaining its right to resume military operations. The US-mediated proposal, while approved by Israel, has not fully satisfied Hamas's requirements, leaving the path to a ceasefire uncertain.