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In a video released Monday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking in a staged interview with his adviser Topaz Luk, said he “hopes we may have something to announce, if not today then tomorrow, regarding the hostages.” His remarks came shortly after reports that Hamas had agreed to the so-called “Witkoff framework”—a claim Israeli officials dismissed as another “spin” by the terror group.
Despite Netanyahu’s apparent optimism, Israeli officials familiar with the details quickly sought to temper expectations. “He meant to say we are working hard. It was a turn of phrase,” one official explained. “If there’s no deal today, we’re not giving up. We’re applying pressure on Hamas, and Witkoff is pressuring them too. We’re hoping for news—but in the near future, not necessarily today or tomorrow.”
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Netanyahu in video says may have something to announce on hostages
(Photo: Prime Minister's spokesman)
The Prime Minister’s Office clarified: “The prime minister did not refer specifically to today or tomorrow, but to the ongoing efforts to secure a deal for the release of our hostages.”
Hamas claimed Monday afternoon that it had accepted a proposal from mediators—referred to as the “Witkoff framework”—but even U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, for whom the plan is named, expressed disappointment with the group’s response, while Israeli officials dismissed the claim as “another Hamas spin.”
According to Israeli sources, the statements attributed to Hamas and reported by Reuters contradict a different proposal the group submitted overnight via mediator Bashar al-Khabbab. Officials in Jerusalem emphasized that the U.S. was also disappointed with Hamas’ reply, and reiterated that only the original Witkoff framework remains on the table. “Other ploys are unacceptable,” an official said.
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(Photos: Nir Elias/Reuters, Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters, Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP, Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)
Arab media outlets were quick to report that Hamas had agreed to the Witkoff proposal. Al-Aqsa TV, run by Hamas, claimed the offer includes a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Saudi-owned Al-Hadath cited a Hamas source saying the group accepted the proposal “received from the mediators,” which includes indirect talks on a joint Gaza governance committee and a long-term cease-fire with reconstruction provisions.
The reported deal also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners serving lengthy sentences, alongside a “partial and gradual” Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera detailed the plan as follows: a 60-day cease-fire, the release of 10 hostages in two stages, and an exchange of bodies. Five hostages would be released on day one, and five more on day 60. The report also stated that President Donald Trump promised a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal within 60 days, based on a prior January agreement.
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However, Israel maintains that the original Witkoff framework calls for 10 hostages to be released in two phases—not with the long pause in between proposed by Hamas. The latest offer, reportedly brokered by U.S.-Palestinian businessman Bashar al-Khabbab and already rejected by Israel, was delivered overnight via the U.S., following Khabbab’s talks with Hamas. The speed with which Israel rejected the plan suggests deep concern that Washington might accept the plan or try to pressure Israel into accepting it.
Witkoff addressed the matter in an interview with CNN, saying that “Israel will agree to a temporary ceasefire/hostage deal that would see half of the living and half of the deceased return and lead to substantive negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire, which I have agreed to preside over.” He added: “That deal is on the table. Hamas should take it.”
The U.S. did not consult Israel in advance regarding this proposal, which reportedly calls for the release of 10 hostages in two phases and a 70-day cease-fire. A senior Israeli official said accepting it would amount to a “capitulation to Hamas,” noting that the proposal was formulated in coordination with the terror group.
“We don’t yet know what the Americans will say,” the Israeli official added. His comments echoed remarks by Trump, who told reporters overnight that “good news” might be coming regarding Gaza. “We’re trying to see if we can stop this. We’ve spoken with Israel and want to see if we can bring the situation to an end as soon as possible,” Trump said.
Still, Israeli officials emphasized that the Khabbab proposal, despite being acceptable to Hamas, diverges significantly from the Witkoff framework to which Israel has adhered since resuming fighting in March. The senior official stated: “This is not a plan any Israeli government could accept. Hamas is making impossible demands that would undermine the war’s goals and block the possibility of freeing the hostages.”