Hamas makes hostage pledge but demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan

Hamas has responded to a U.S. ceasefire proposal, offering to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased ones in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, while demanding a permanent truce, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and continuous humanitarian aid—none of which are included in the current U.S. framework, which Israel has accepted. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff deemed Hamas’s response unacceptable, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on the right to resume hostilities unless Hamas meets its conditions. Amid mounting pressure and escalating violence, Hamas is caught between rejecting a proposal that falls short of its demands and facing Israel’s military escalation.

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