Israel confirms receiving Hamas' response; Trump: 'That’s good,' could be Gaza deal by 'next week'

Israel confirmed this morning (Saturday) that Hamas’ response has been received regarding the framework for a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. According to sources involved, Hamas’ comments focus on three factors: allowing humanitarian aid to enter via the old method; the withdrawal of IDF troops to positions they held during the previous ceasefire; and guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.

According to those same sources, the proposed amendments will challenge decision-makers in Israel, and intensive discussions on the matter are expected to take place today and tomorrow. The Security Cabinet is expected to convene tonight at 10 p.m. local time for a discussion about the negotiations in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed Hamas’ response this morning, saying: “Well, that’s good.” He added that he had not yet received a briefing on the matter. “There could be a deal on a Gaza ceasefire by next week.”

“We have to do something about Gaza – we’re sending a lot of money and a lot of aid,” Trump told reporters.

Hamas officially announced last night that its response to the proposal for the hostage deal had been delivered to the mediators and to Israel. According to the statement from the terror group, “the response is characterized by positivity.”

Framework for deal: Release of 28 hostages, including 10 alive and 18 deceased

The draft agreement, formulated in cooperation with the mediators, includes the release of 28 Israeli hostages, of whom 10 are alive and 18 are deceased, over the course of a 60-day ceasefire period. Humanitarian aid will flow into the Gaza Strip immediately and in sufficient quantities, under the supervision of the United Nations and the Red Crescent.

On the first day, 8 live hostages are expected to be released.
On the 7th day, 5 deceased hostages are expected to be released.
On the 30th day, an additional 5 deceased hostages are expected to be released.
On the 50th day, 2 more live hostages are expected to be released.
On the final day, 8 deceased hostages will be released.

After the release of eight live hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, the IDF will begin withdrawing from parts of northern Gaza, and later also from the south.

According to the agreement, on the 10th day of the ceasefire, Hamas will be required to provide information on the status of the remaining hostages in Gaza, and Israel will disclose information about more than 2,000 Palestinians from Gaza who have been held in administrative detention in Israel since the start of the war. Israel will commit to a broad release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreement.

Additionally, Israel will halt all military activity in the Gaza Strip once the agreement comes into effect. There will be a suspension of all aerial movement for approximately 10 hours per day or 12 hours on days when prisoner exchanges take place.

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Itamar Margalit and Gili Cohen.