The US has sent Hamas a new Gaza ceasefire proposal, with Trump pressuring the group to accept terms involving a prisoner exchange and suspension of Israel’s planned Gaza City offensive.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new proposal last week to Hamas for a Gaza ceasefire deal, the US-based news website Axios reported on Sunday.
Citing two informed sources, Axios reported that the new US initiative aims to find a diplomatic solution ahead of the massive offensive Israel is planning to launch to occupy Gaza City.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump said the US is “in deep negotiations with Hamas” on a Gaza ceasefire deal. He reportedly stressed the US message to Hamas is: “If you immediately release the hostages, good things are going to happen, but if you don’t — it is going to be tough and nasty for you.”
Trump’s comments came as the Israeli military began flattening high-rise buildings in Gaza City, marking the first major phase in its new offensive to occupy the city. The operation — backed by Trump — is expected to escalate in the coming days.
Israeli Army Levels Gaza Towers, Scores Killed in Escalating Offensive
According to a senior Israeli official cited by Axios, the proposal includes the release of all 48 remaining captives in exchange for a ceasefire and the end of the Israeli operation in Gaza. Israel would release 2,500–3,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including hundreds serving life sentences.
Once the ceasefire is declared, negotiations would begin on the conditions for ending the war, including Israel’s demands for Hamas’ disarmament and Hamas’ demand for a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza.
The proposal stressed that if Hamas responds positively, Trump would actively work to end the war, and the ceasefire would continue as long as negotiations proceed. The message also warned Hamas that rejection would trigger a large-scale Israeli operation.
On Sunday, Trump escalated his pressure campaign by claiming Israel had already agreed to his terms. “Everyone wants the Hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end!” he wrote on Truth Social. “The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well.”
He added: “I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
LIVE BLOG: Ansarallah’s Drones Hit Ramon Airport as Israel Expands Gaza City Operations – Day 702
Israel’s acceptance has not been publicly confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Hamas: Ready to Negotiate
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas issued a statement on Sunday, saying that it has received ideas from the US side, conveyed through mediators, for reaching a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas welcomed any move that contributes to ending the aggression, and affirmed its readiness to immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss the release of all captives in exchange for a clear declaration ending the war.
The movement said it is ready to negotiate an agreement that includes the release of prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal, and the formation of an independent committee to manage Gaza.
Hamas stressed that binding guarantees are required to ensure Israel publicly commits to the agreement, to prevent a repeat of previous experiences.
Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities. The enclave is facing famine conditions.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
(PC, Axios, AA)
The same routine: Donald pretends I’m the king, I boss “Israel”, take it or leave it; “Israel” says nothing; Hamas welcomes negotiations and maintains their principled stance. Nobody will disarm the resistance! “Israeli” disarmament, de-Zionist, de-nuclear, follows international law. Hamas, sumud!