Hamas announced it is prepared to release 10 Israeli hostages as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, even as disagreements between the terror group and Israel remain unresolved, according to The Times of Israel and Reuters.
In a statement, Hamas cited several key sticking points: the volume and distribution of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory, and what the group calls “genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.” The demands come despite previous claims from U.S. foreign envoy Steve Witkoff that the number of outstanding issues had been reduced to just one.
“We’re in proximity talks now, and we had four issues, and now we’re down to one after two days of proximity talks,” Witkoff said Tuesday. “We are hopeful that by the end of this week, we will have an agreement that will bring us into a 60-day ceasefire.”
President Donald Trump also signaled optimism during a press conference Wednesday, suggesting the deal may be within reach.
“We want to have a ceasefire,” Trump said. “We want to have peace. We want to get the hostages back. And I think we’re close to doing it.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who traveled to Washington this week to consult with President Trump, echoed the desire for an agreement but emphasized that Israel’s national security comes first.
“President Trump wants a deal, but not at any price. I want a deal, but not at any price,” Netanyahu stated. “Israel has security requirements and other requirements, and we’re working together to try to achieve it.”
Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s longstanding position that any ceasefire must result in the removal of Hamas from power in Gaza — a war objective that has remained unchanged since the group’s brutal October 7 massacre, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and around 250 kidnapped.
Israel’s military response has focused on eliminating Hamas leadership and dismantling its terror infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, Israeli officials have made clear that allowing Hamas to remain intact would be a non-starter.
As negotiations continue, it remains unclear whether Hamas’s offer to release 10 hostages is a sign of progress or a stalling tactic amid growing global scrutiny.