This article is from: srnnews.com
Israel Rejects Latest Hamas Hostage Deal as US Pushes for Gaza Ceasefire
By The Media Line Staff
Israel has rejected a new Hamas-backed proposal to release hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, officials confirmed this week, as indirect talks continue through American channels.
The deal, delivered to Israel via backchannel contacts facilitated by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, would have included the release of five living Israeli hostages. In return, Israel would withdraw to positions it held in Gaza two months ago, open humanitarian access across the Strip, continue negotiations over other hostages, and acknowledge some form of American recognition of Hamas.
A senior Israeli official dismissed the proposal as “very far away from the outline that we are willing to negotiate on” and said it “cannot be accepted by any responsible government.” Another official added, “There is no genuine willingness on Hamas’s part to move forward with a deal.”
The proposal was conveyed to Israel by the United States after being passed along by Bahbah, who previously helped mediate the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander. US President Donald Trump has expressed hope for a resolution. “We want to see if we can stop it. And we’ve talked to Israel, we want to see if we can stop this whole situation as quickly as possible,” he told reporters.
The plan reportedly modified the so-called Witkoff outline—named after Trump’s special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff—by expanding the ceasefire to roughly 70 days and including the phased return of both living and deceased hostages.
Speaking in his first press conference since December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last Wednesday, “If there is an opportunity for a temporary ceasefire to return hostages, we are prepared for it.” He added that 20 hostages are still alive in Gaza and pledged to bring them home.
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