Hamas Says Gaza Ceasefire Framework Reached with Witkoff
The Palestinian movement Hamas on Wednesday announced it reached an agreement with the US Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, on a general framework that involves a ceasefire in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
In a statement, Hamas said that the framework 'ensures a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the flow of humanitarian aid and a professional committee assuming control of the Strip's affairs immediately after the agreement is announced.'
Moreover, the framework involves 'the release of 10 Israeli hostages and a number of bodies, in exchange for releasing an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, guaranteed by the mediators.'
The Palestinian movement added that it is waiting for a final response to this framework.
On Monday, Witkoff told CNN that a 'ceasefire-hostage deal for Gaza is currently on the table' to end the war, urging Hamas to accept it.
The proposed deal included the release of half of the living hostages and half of the bodies of the deceased in return for a temporary ceasefire before starting negotiations for a comprehensive agreement to end the war. However, he did not specify the duration of the temporary ceasefire – a key issue in the negotiations.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas said it had agreed to what it called 'Witkoff proposal,' which involved the release of 10 hostages in two groups in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire, Reuters reported citing a Palestinian official. But Witkoff dismissed the report, saying that this was not his proposal.
Short link :
Post Views: 10
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Gaza civil defense says Israeli forces kill 23
Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli forces killed at least 23 people in the war-stricken territory on Saturday, including at least three children who died when a house was struck. 'At least 23 dead and dozens of wounded were taken (to hospitals) after Israeli firing and raids' across Gaza, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. Among the casualties were three children who were killed in an air strike on a home in Jabalia, northern Gaza. AFP video footage from Gaza City showed relatives weeping over the bodies of children killed in nearby Jabalia. Bassal said the children were among 21 people killed in six air strikes by drones and planes across the territory. He said two other people were killed by Israeli fire while waiting for food aid in the Netzarim zone in central Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli restrictions on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and witnesses. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in October 2023 in response to a deadly attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on June 24, the Israeli military said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages. Hamas's 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 56,412 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable.
Saudi Gazette
2 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Iran holds state funeral for slain military commanders and scientists
TEHRAN — Iran held a state funeral on Saturday for dozens of senior military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians killed during the 12-day war with Israel, which ended earlier this week in a US-brokered ceasefire. Thousands of mourners gathered near Tehran's Enghelab Square, where coffins draped in Iranian flags and adorned with portraits of the dead were paraded through the crowd. Authorities said 60 individuals, including top military and scientific figures, were buried. Government offices were closed, and free transportation was offered to encourage public attendance. Among the dead was Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's highest-ranking military officer and chief of staff of the armed forces. He was laid to rest alongside his wife and daughter, who were killed in an Israeli prominent figures buried included Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, head of Azad University in authorities said the overall death toll inside Iran reached 627 during the conflict, while Israeli officials reported 28 deaths following missile attacks launched by funeral was attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shamkhani sustained injuries in an earlier Israeli war, which saw U.S. forces intervene with strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, has left diplomatic tensions at a boiling point.U.S. President Donald Trump said he would 'absolutely' consider future military action against Iran if intelligence suggested Tehran was enriching uranium to dangerous at the White House on Friday, Trump claimed he had been considering sanctions relief but abruptly abandoned the effort following what he called 'hostile' comments by Khamenei.'I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, 'and he does not have to say, 'thank-you, president Trump!''Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a sharp response, warning Trump to refrain from 'disrespectful' language toward Iran's supreme insisted that while Iranian nuclear sites suffered 'serious damage,' the strikes had 'achieved nothing significant.'The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, noted that the full extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program remains stressed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon 'will not be solved militarily,' and emphasized the need for diplomacy.
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia slams Israeli settlers' continued violence
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the continued violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers, under the protection of the occupation forces, against Palestinian civilians. In a statement, the ministry specially noted the recent attacks in the village of Kafr Malik, east of Ramallah in the West Bank. The Kingdom reiterated its condemnation of the continued Israeli violence against unarmed civilians in Gaza, including the targeting of civilian sites housing displaced persons. Saudi Arabia stressed the need to exert all efforts to provide protection for Palestinian civilians and enable them to exercise all their legitimate rights. The ministry reiterated its call for the international community to assume its responsibilities to put an end to Israeli violations of international laws and norms. Three Palestinians have been shot dead after nearly 100 Israeli settlers attacked the village on Wednesday evening. The men of Kafr Malik had run to its south-western edge to form a screen against the settlers and rescue women and children trapped in a house set alight by the masked attackers. But as they threw stones at the settlers in an attempt to drive them back, the Israeli army, who had taken up position behind the marauders, opened fire at the Palestinians.
