US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
The announcement follows the circulation of a leaked draft agreement obtained by Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, outlining a 60-day truce between Hamas and Israel.
Al-Qahera News reported that the proposal, attributed to President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, was reportedly accepted by Israel but has not yet been formally endorsed by Hamas, which says it is still studying the terms.
In a statement, Hamas said it was "reviewing the proposal responsibly, aiming to achieve the interests of Palestinians, provide humanitarian relief, and secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."
According to the document, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar would guarantee the ceasefire. The draft states that Trump would personally unveil the plan at a press conference and oversee its implementation via Witkoff, who would head the negotiations.
The proposed deal includes the release by Hamas of 10 living captives and 18 bodies, to be handed over on the first and seventh days of the truce.
Hamas would also provide complete information on remaining captives by day 10. In exchange, Israel would release 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
Humanitarian aid would begin flowing into Gaza immediately after Hamas confirms its approval, and the United Nations and the Red Crescent would handle distribution.
Axios earlier reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the families of Israeli captives that he is prepared to move forward with the proposal.
Sources told Al Arabiya that Netanyahu was scheduled to meet Thursday evening with ministers from the foreign, finance and national security portfolios to discuss the proposed arrangement.
The document also requires that all Israeli military activities be recorded when the agreement takes effect. Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would begin on the first day of the truce.
Axios, citing three US sources familiar with the matter, reported optimism in the White House that the Witkoff proposal could close the remaining gaps between Hamas and Israel. One source said an agreement could be reached within days if both sides show flexibility.
The war, now nearing its nineteenth month, has killed or wounded more than 177,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, with thousands more missing under the rubble. Israel's siege has plunged the territory into humanitarian collapse, with famine conditions spreading and aid convoys repeatedly blocked or bombed.
Mohammad al-Mughayyir of Gaza's civil defence told AFP that at least 44 people were killed on Thursday in Israeli airstrikes, including 23 in a single attack on a home in al-Bureij refugee camp.
More than 10,100 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, facing torture, starvation and medical neglect, according to human rights groups. Hamas holds 57 captives in Gaza, including 34 who are dead, according to the Israeli military.
Families of Israeli captives and opposition figures have accused Netanyahu of using the war to prolong his political survival and appease far-right members of his governing coalition.
Steve Witkoff's “term sheet” obtained by Drop Site News.
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