Hamas says Witkoff s Gaza ceasefire proposal must lead to the end of the war

CAIRO - Hamas said on Saturday it had responded to a ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to mediators and included a demand for an end to the war, which had previously been a red line for Israel.

The Palestinian group said in a statement that under the deal, it will release ten living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Israels release of a number of Palestinian prisoners, comments in line with Witkoffs proposal.

The Hamas statement added: This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip.

It said its response came after conducting a round of national consultations.

The statement did not mention that it was seeking any changes in the proposal, but a Palestinian official familiar with the talks told Reuters that Hamas sought some amendments while its response was positive.

The Israeli Prime Ministers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israeli media reported earlier this week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel had accepted the deal presented by Witkoff. The prime ministers office declined to comment at the time.

Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March.

Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force and return all 58 hostages still held in Gaza before it will agree to end the war.

Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.

Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in