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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced late Saturday that Israel has agreed to a cease-fire framework proposed by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, which would pause fighting during Ramadan and Passover.
According to the statement, under the plan, half of the remaining hostages—both living and deceased—would be released on the first day of the agreement. If negotiations lead to a permanent cease-fire, the remaining hostages would be freed by the end of the arrangement.
The statement also noted that under the deal, Israel retains the right to resume military operations after 42 days if it determines that negotiations are not progressing effectively. "While Israel has agreed to the Witkoff framework in an effort to bring our hostages home, Hamas has so far refused to accept this proposal," Netanyahu’s office said.