Reuters: Hamas agrees to US proposal for 70-day ceasefire
Hamas has agreed to a proposal by Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Whitkoff, for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reports.
According to the publication, Witkoff's proposal includes the release of 10 Israeli prisoners (to be released in two groups), a 70-day ceasefire, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip. The proposal also calls for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, including hundreds of those serving long-term sentences.
Hamas received the offer through intermediaries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has not yet commented on the matter.
Axios reported on May 18 that Witkoff's proposal was sent to both sides, citing sources. They said that while there were negotiating teams between Israel and Hamas in Doha, discussions of the Witkoff plan were conducted "through other channels." Netanyahu accepted the terms "with numerous conditions and exceptions," according to Axios' sources.
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