Full text of Hamas’ official response to the ceasefire proposal

Reported by Webangah, citing Mehr News Agency

The Al Jazeera news network has obtained and published details of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)’s response to the U.S.-mediated ceasefire proposal drafted by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. According to Hamas’s conditions, the plan must include a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guaranteed humanitarian aid access for the besieged enclave.

Hamas has agreed to release 10 living Israeli captives and hand over the bodies of 18 deceased Israelis in exchange for a predetermined number of Palestinian prisoners, provided a 60-day truce is implemented. The group emphasized that this would mark the end of the war, with Israeli forces fully exiting Gaza.

The framework sets a 60-day timeline for implementation, requiring U.S. President Donald Trump to guarantee Israel’s commitment to the agreed-upon ceasefire.

Key Provisions of the Plan:

Prisoner Exchange and Handover of Deceased Israelis

• Day 1: 4 Israeli captives released.
• Day 30: 2 more captives released.
• Day 60: 4 additional captives released.
• 6 on days 10, 30, and 60.

Humanitarian Aid and Gaza’s Reconstruction

• aid deliveries will commence under the January 19 agreement, distributed through UN agencies and international organizations, including the Red Crescent.
• Infrastructure restoration (energy, water, sewage, communications, and transportation) will begin.
• rebuilding hospitals, schools, bakeries, and homes will be allowed into Gaza.
• Unrestricted movement for Gaza residents via the Rafah crossing will be permitted.
• 3-5 year reconstruction plan, supervised by Egypt, Qatar, and the UN, will be initiated to repair war-damaged areas.

Israeli Military Commitments

• military operations by Israeli forces will halt during the truce.
• Military and surveillance flights over Gaza will be suspended for 10 hours daily, extending to 12 hours on prisoner exchange days.

Israeli Withdrawal

• Day 1, coinciding with the release of the first 4 captives, Israeli forces will withdraw to positions held before March 2, 2025, as per the January 19, 2025, map.

Negotiations for a Permanent Ceasefire

• Indirect talks, mediated by guarantor nations, will begin on Day 1 to discuss:
  • full prisoner exchange for remaining captives.
  • permanent ceasefire declaration and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
  • Post-war governance, including:
    1. independent technocratic committee to manage Gaza’s affairs.
    2. 5-7 year halt to military operations between both sides, guaranteed by mediators (U.S., Egypt, Qatar).

Palestinian Prisoners and Martyrs’ Remains

• Palestinian prisoners and martyrs’ remains will be released.

Disclosure of Detainee Information

• Day 10, Hamas will provide details on living and deceased Israeli captives held by Palestinian factions.
• full information on Palestinian detainees and martyrs since October 7, 2023.
• safety and humane treatment of prisoners under international law.

Release of Remaining Captives

• permanent ceasefire is reached and Israeli forces fully withdraw, remaining Israeli captives and bodies (from Israel’s List No. 58) will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.

Guarantor Nations

• U.S., Egypt, and Qatar will oversee the 60-day truce, ongoing negotiations, military de-escalation, and aid delivery.

Role of Donald Trump

• U.S. President Donald Trump will personally announce the ceasefire agreement.
• U.S. and Trump are obligated to ensure continued negotiations toward a final settlement.