US Envoy Witkoff denies Hamas has agreed to hostage-ceasefire deal

Steve Witkoff calls Hamas’ response “disappointing and unacceptable,” stressing Israel’s acceptance of a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal is still on the table. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has denied reports that Hamas has agreed to his proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal, Axios' Barak Ravid reported on Monday. "What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable," Witkoff told Ravid.

On the other hand, Witkoff told the reporter that Israel has agreed to a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal that would see half of the living hostages and half of the deceased hostages returned, and "lead to substantive negotiations to find a path to a permanent ceasefire, which I agreed to preside over." The envoy added, "That deal is on the table. Hamas should take it."Reuters reported on Sunday that Hamas has agreed to release 10 hostages in two groups in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire.

Earlier in the day, Sky News Arabia reported that the prevailing assessment is that US President Donald Trump will announce a ceasefire in Gaza within the coming days, and that the announcement will be part of a deal for the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. (Read More)