Palestinians inspect rubble after Israeli strikes on al-Qattaa family home in Gaza City’s al-Touffah neighborhood, May 31, 2025. (Credit: Omar al-Qattaa/AFP)
Hamas said Saturday it has submitted its response to international mediators regarding a 60-day cease-fire proposal in Gaza put forward by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The death toll in the Palestinian enclave has reached 54,381, with 124,054 wounded since the conflict between the Islamist group and Israel began.
“Following a series of national consultations and in recognition of its great responsibility toward its people and their suffering, Hamas has today submitted its response to the latest proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff,” the group said in a statement. It said the proposal aims to achieve a permanent cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the guaranteed delivery of humanitarian aid.
As part of the proposed deal, “10 living Israeli hostages will be released, and the bodies of 18 others will be returned in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners,” the statement added.
'Positive' response
Hamas sources said Saturday their response to a proposed 60-day cease-fire in Gaza was “positive, but with some remarks,” following extensive consultations with other Palestinian factions.
The response was submitted to international mediators earlier in the day and is in reply to a plan presented by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, aimed at halting the conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began on Oct. 7, 2023.
Hamas sources told the Saudi-owned daily Asharq al-Awsat, based in London, that the group had held “intensive contacts” and “multiple meetings with leaders of Palestinian factions in Qatar and from other capitals, including Beirut,” to coordinate a unified Palestinian position.
“The response can be described as positive from the Hamas leadership and other factions, but it includes certain observations to ensure successful implementation,” the sources said. They noted that despite what they see as clear bias in the proposal toward Israel, “all remarks were unanimously agreed upon,” suggesting they could be accepted “if there is a sincere American willingness to pressure Israel.”
One of the key points raised, according to the sources, is that the release of Israeli hostages would take place in phases — similar to a previous agreement— over the full 60-day period specified in the proposal.
Other Hamas sources quoted by the same outlet offered a more cautious view, describing the response as “neither negative nor positive,” but emphasizing that it included “specific and clear remarks” aimed at ensuring the deal meets “minimum Palestinian demands.”
Those remarks reportedly concern the lack of clear guarantees for a permanent end to the war, a firm commitment to maintain the cease-fire during the proposed 60-day period, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the conditions tied to the release of Israeli hostages.
According to the Israeli military, of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack, 58 are believed to remain in captivity in Gaza, including 34 confirmed dead.
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