Hamas submitted its formal response to a US ceasefire proposal for Gaza on May 31, signaling cautious progress toward a potential truce that would involve a prisoner exchange, aid access, and a possible full Israeli withdrawal.

Hamas Conditions a Ceasefire on Three Core Demands

In a statement following internal consultations, Hamas said it responded to the proposal by US envoy Steve Witkoff. The group emphasized its commitment to securing relief for Palestinian civilians and outlined three main conditions:

• A permanent ceasefire
• A comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
• Uninterrupted humanitarian aid flow to residents in the besieged territory

As part of the proposed deal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli prisoners and hand over the bodies of 18 deceased Israelis, in exchange for an undisclosed number of Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

Israel’s Position: 60-Day Pause, Aid Delivery

Israel had previously agreed to the ceasefire framework put forward by Washington. The deal includes a 60-day halt in hostilities and the restoration of UN-led aid distribution across Gaza.

Renewed US Mediation EffortsThe US has intensified its diplomatic push in recent weeks to end the months-long war in Gaza. Envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal marks the latest in a series of ceasefire efforts that have faltered over mutual distrust and diverging demands. While past negotiations stumbled over timelines and withdrawal terms, the current framework appears to address both sides’ core interests—though major obstacles remain in implementation and verification.