Israel accepts Gaza ceasefire plan proposed by US, says White House; Hamas holds back

Israel has accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, the White House announced on Thursday, AP reported.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas conflict and secure the release of more hostages captured in the initial attack.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Israel “backed and supported” the proposal. However, Hamas officials gave a cool response, stating they wanted to study the plan more closely before giving a formal answer.

Hamas rejects ceasefire draft, vows careful review

“The Zionist response, in essence, means perpetuating the occupation and continuing the killing and famine,” Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, told The Associated Press. He added that the proposal “does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine.” Despite this, he said Hamas would examine the proposal “with all national responsibility.”

Hamas had previously agreed with Witkoff on a “general framework” for a ceasefire that would include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an influx of humanitarian aid, and handing power to a politically independent Palestinian committee.

Divergent goals of Israel and Hamas prolong conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated he will not end the war until all hostages are freed and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed. He has also indicated that Israel will maintain control over Gaza indefinitely and support what he calls the voluntary emigration of much of its population.

In contrast, Hamas insists it will only release remaining hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and a full Israeli withdrawal. The group has also proposed handing over power to an independent Palestinian committee to oversee reconstruction.

The dispute over whether to agree on a temporary ceasefire focused on hostage release, as Israel demands, or a permanent ceasefire, as Hamas wants, has hindered negotiations brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar for over a year and a half, with no resolution in sight.