Hamas Agrees to Release 10 Hostages in Exchange for Temporary Ceasefire
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A senior Palestinian official close to Hamas confirmed Monday that the group has accepted a proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 10 Israeli hostages, according to Reuters.
The proposal, reportedly mediated by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and regional actors, aims to halt hostilities in the embattled territory and pave the way for broader negotiations on a sustainable political resolution. The official said the agreement includes the release of hostages in two phases and a 70-day ceasefire.
“The offer includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages alive in two separate batches, in return for a 70-day truce, gradual partial withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners,” the source stated.
The exchange deal reportedly encompasses the release of several hundred Palestinian detainees, including individuals serving high and life-term sentences. The official noted that this phase is intended to lay the groundwork for more comprehensive negotiations.
According to the source, indirect negotiations are expected to begin shortly on the conditions of a long-term ceasefire, which would also include discussions on governance structures for Gaza. Among the proposed measures is the empowerment of an independent civil society committee to administer the coastal enclave during the interim period.
While no immediate comment was issued from Israeli or Hamas leadership, the framework follows extensive regional and international mediation aimed at de-escalating tensions and addressing humanitarian needs in the densely populated strip, which has seen widespread destruction amid the ongoing conflict.
The proposal, if implemented, could mark a significant shift in the months-long stalemate that has left Gaza reeling from continued airstrikes and blockades, while hostilities have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and created severe shortages of essential supplies.
The concept of an independent administrative committee for Gaza, introduced as part of the negotiations, seeks to bypass direct political contention while providing immediate governance and service delivery in coordination with neutral civil structures.
Although details about the committee’s composition and authority remain limited, it is understood that the initiative is meant to stabilize the region temporarily while deferring more contentious decisions over long-term political control.
The international community, particularly regional mediators in Egypt and Qatar, has been working to broker incremental steps to reduce violence and avoid a broader regional conflagration.
As of now, no timeline has been set for the beginning of prisoner releases or the initiation of the ceasefire. However, discussions are ongoing, and further announcements are expected in the coming days as involved parties consult their leadership.