Israel accepts Trump ceasefire proposal, but Hamas ‘cool’ to agreement 

Israel has said it will accept a U.S.-brokered temporary ceasefire in Gaza that would return more of the Israeli hostages Hamas took during a 2023 terror attack.

The latest proposal comes as President Donald Trump is also trying to negotiate a signature ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and a historic new nuclear treaty with Iran.

The Associated Press (AP) reported Hamas has given the ceasefire proposal a “cool” reception, while the BBC indicated the group has rejected the agreement outright. 

“The Zionist response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine,” Bassem Naim, a top Hamas official, told the AP. He said it “does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.” 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Israel accepted the ceasefire proposal, but stopped short of saying Hamas would agree to it. 

However, conversations with the terrorist group are still ongoing, she said. 

“We hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place so we can return all of the hostages home,” Leavitt added, according to the BBC. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed Israel had agreed to the ceasefire, but a more permanent agreement and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza would depend on the return of all remaining Israeli hostages and some other conditions, he told Reuters.  

The Times of Israel has released a full text of the ceasefire proposal. If implemented, it will last for 60 days as the parties negotiate a permanent ceasefire.  

The U.S., Egypt and Qatar will guarantee the ceasefire for both sides, according to the text of the agreement, although it’s unclear if this guarantee includes the deployment of troops. 

International aid to Gaza would be delivered through the United Nations and Red Crescent. 

Previously Hamas had promised to turn over power to a “independent” committee of Palestinians to create a government authority in Gaza in return for a permanent ceasefire, the AP reported. 

Although the group is expected to release some hostages when the temporary ceasefire takes effect, a permanent agreement depends upon the release of all 58 Israeli hostages, living or dead. 

In return, Israel will release 1,111 “Gazan detainees” and 125 prisoners in Israel who face life sentences for terror offenses during the temporary ceasefire phase, according to the proposal.  

In the meantime, both sides are expected to provide information about the health and well-being of hostages, detainees and prisoners. 

If the ceasefire is implemented, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will preside over the negotiations between Israel and Hamas.  

“President Trump will personally announce the ceasefire agreement,” said the draft of the temporary pact. “The United States and President Trump are committed to working to ensure that good faith negotiations continue until a final agreement is reached.”  

Israel has insisted on the complete disarmament of Hamas and the exile of their leaders from Gaza before agreeing to any permanent ceasefire, according to multiple media outlets.   

Netanyahu has also supported attempts to resettle the Palestinians in the disputed strip of land to other territories.