The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement tonight confirming that “Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu on Friday held a series of consultations pursuant to the proposal that was received from the mediators. A few hours ago, Israel conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the US.”
This announcement came after reports circulated that Hamas had agreed to a revised offer, which would involve releasing five living hostages in return for a 50-day pause in fighting and resumption of talks to end the conflict—while allowing Hamas leaders to remain in Gaza.
Israel, however, remains firm on a different condition: under a proposal brought forth by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Israel is demanding that Hamas free ten living hostages—nearly half of those currently believed to be alive in captivity.
Meanwhile, Hamas is also in possession of 35 additional hostages who are presumed dead, and has signaled willingness to return the bodies of some of them.
Regardless, any potential agreement is not expected to go into effect before the conclusion of Eid al-Fitr on Sunday. Diplomatic efforts are intensifying, though, with hopes of securing a deal by the end of Pesach. While nothing is finalized, a senior official noted, “there is a good chance to reach something.”
Earlier today, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed cited Egyptian officials who claimed that Hamas had accepted a temporary truce over the Yom Tov period and was prepared to release the “American soldier,” Edan Alexander, along with four other captives—some alive and some deceased. Those sources added: “The ball is now in the hands of the Israeli and US governments.”
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