Hamas did not explicitly reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s new hostage deal proposal in its official response Sunday, which includes the immediate release of all 48 hostages on the first day of a ceasefire. However, analysts expect Hamas to demand conditions Israel has strongly opposed.
Sources familiar with the negotiations told ynet that the proposal offers “very significant guarantees” that Israel would not resume military operations while talks to end the war continue. They added that the IDF would not necessarily remain in their current positions if the plan is implemented, and a “repositioning” could take place during negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire and after the hostages’ release as part of the agreement.
Trump: 'It may be slightly fewer than 20 because they tend to die'
(Video: Reuters)
The assessment is that if the framework indeed entails the immediate release of all hostages, Hamas is likely to demand that the IDF withdraw completely from Gaza simultaneously—a step Israel has firmly opposed so far.
Sunday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is “considering” the framework. Yet Trump later stated that Israel had effectively agreed to the plan, which would see all hostages released on the first day in exchange for thousands of prisoners, followed by negotiations during which the IDF would not be allowed to resume fighting.
Overnight, Trump told reporters in Washington, “I think there will be a deal in Gaza very soon. I think we will be able to bring everyone back.” The U.S. president, who two weeks ago said fewer than 20 hostages were alive according to Israeli figures, added, “It may be slightly fewer than 20 because they tend to die. Although most are young, they tend to die.”
IDF destroying tunnel network in Gaza
(Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Israeli officials said Hamas is expected to reject the plan. A separate phased deal remains on the table, which would see 10 hostages and 18 bodies returned over 60 days of negotiations to end the war and eventually secure the release of all hostages.
Hamas, for its part, said Sunday that it “welcomes any step contributing to efforts to stop the aggression” and expressed willingness to immediately enter negotiations on releasing all prisoners—referring to hostages—“in exchange for a clear declaration ending the war, a full withdrawal from Gaza, and the establishment of a committee to manage the Strip by independent Palestinian authorities, which would begin its work immediately.”
First published: 07:31, 09.08.25