Conflicting Claims Emerge Over Alleged Hamas Acceptance of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
GAZA/JERUSALEM – Sept 25, 2025:
A Palestinian official close to Hamas claimed on Monday that the group has agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal proposal attributed to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff — a claim quickly rejected by both Israel and Witkoff himself.
According to the Palestinian source, the proposed agreement involved a 70-day ceasefire, the release of 10 Israeli hostages in two phases, and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many serving long-term sentences. The proposal was reportedly conveyed to Hamas via mediators.
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However, Steve Witkoff denied that the offer being referenced was his, telling Reuters that the details shared were “completely unacceptable” and did not represent any plan he had presented.
An Israeli official also dismissed the claim, asserting that no responsible Israeli government could accept such terms, and further distancing the proposal from Witkoff’s name.
This latest dispute comes amid ongoing tension in the region. Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza on March 18, effectively ending a January ceasefire with Hamas. In response, Hamas and allied groups renewed rocket attacks two days later.
Hamas maintains it is willing to release all hostages taken during its October 7, 2023 cross-border assault — which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 abductions, according to Israeli figures — if Israel agrees to a full withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected that possibility, insisting that Israel would only agree to a temporary truce in exchange for the release of hostages, reiterating that the conflict will only end with the total elimination of Hamas.
The ongoing war, which began after the October 7 attack, has so far killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The humanitarian crisis in the besieged strip continues to worsen, with aid groups reporting widespread malnutrition and infrastructure devastation.
