Five phases in 60 Days: All the details of Hamas' response to Witkoff's new Gaza ceasefire proposal

The Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen published on Saturday evening the content of the document outlining Hamas’ response to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s Gaza ceasefire and hostage release proposal.

According to the document, Hamas commits to releasing ten live hostages and returning 18 bodies of deceased hostages over the course of a 60-day ceasefire, in the following order:

• Day 1: Four live hostages

• Day 10: Six bodies

• Day 30: Two live hostages and six bodies

• Day 50: Six bodies

• Day 60: Four live hostages

Witkoff criticized Hamas this evening for its response to the framework, writing on his 𝕏 account:
“Hamas' response is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward. Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week.”

“That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families,” Witkoff continued, “and in which we can have at the proximity talks substantive negotiations in good-faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire.”

According to the document, Hamas demands that during the 60-day pause, preparations be completed for the reconstruction of homes, public facilities, and infrastructure in Gaza, and that a rehabilitation program for the Strip begin, to last between three and five years. The program would be supervised by the UN and several countries, including Egypt and Qatar.

Hamas also demands that during the ceasefire, Israel halt fighter jet and surveillance drone flights over Gaza for 10 hours each day, and for 12 hours on days when hostages are released.

On Day 10, Hamas would provide information on the number of hostages – both living and deceased – still held by it and other Palestinian factions. In return, Israel would provide full information on all prisoners, living or dead, who have been detained in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.

Hamas states that it will be obligated to ensure the safety and health of the hostages starting from the beginning of the ceasefire, and demands that Israel also commit to safeguarding the well-being of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails “in accordance with international law.”

The document further states that negotiations for a permanent ceasefire must conclude within 60 days, and the mediators must guarantee that the ceasefire and talks continue until an agreement is reached. Hamas’ demand implies that even if no agreement is achieved within 60 days, both sides would still be bound to the truce.

Hamas also demands that U.S. President Donald Trump personally announce the ceasefire agreement, and that the United States commit to ensuring that the negotiations continue seriously until a final deal is reached.