Media: Hamas may accept Witkoff’s Gaza plan with key conditions

Hamas is expected to conditionally accept a new ceasefire proposal presented by US presidential envoy Stephen Witkoff, Al Arabiya reported on May 31, citing informed sources within the group.

While the proposal represents a potential breakthrough in the months-long conflict in Gaza, Hamas has outlined several key amendments it wants before committing.

According to Al Arabiya, Hamas leaders are pushing to alter the timeline for the release of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza. Instead of releasing them all over two days, as earlier proposals outlined, Hamas is insisting on a staggered release in small groups across a 60-day period.

In addition, Hamas is seeking what it calls “real guarantees” from the United States to ensure that Israel adheres to any future ceasefire terms. The group believes that the current version of the plan leaves too much leeway for Israel to resume military operations in Gaza at will. “Our observations on Witkoff’s proposal were unanimously approved by all factions,” a Hamas source told the outlet, reflecting a rare show of unity among Gaza’s various political groups.

Hamas has previously indicated that any deal would need to be endorsed by all factions operating in the enclave, not just by its leadership.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, reaffirmed that military operations in Gaza continue with full force. “The IDF is operating at full strength,” he said. “Now [Hamas] must choose: either accept the ‘Witkoff deal’ or face destruction.”

Amid mounting pressure, US President Donald Trump said the United States is on the verge of securing a breakthrough with both Hamas and Israel, as well as with Iran. Speaking on May 31, Trump stated that the parties were “very close to an agreement on Gaza” and hinted that a formal announcement could come “within a day or possibly tomorrow (June 1).”

The US-backed proposal, supported by mediators Egypt and Qatar, outlines a 60-day ceasefire, during which 28 Israeli hostages — some alive and others deceased — would be released in the first week. In return, Israel would free 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and hand over the remains of 180 Palestinians. The ceasefire would also trigger an immediate influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza, coordinated by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other approved organisations.

The White House has confirmed that Israel has already accepted the terms of the proposal.

Negotiations have struggled to gain traction since the collapse of the last ceasefire in March, with both sides holding to opposing demands. Israel continues to insist on Hamas’s full disarmament, dismantling of its political and military infrastructure, and the return of all hostages. Hamas, for its part, refuses to disarm and demands a full Israeli troop withdrawal and a formal end to the war.

By Tamilla Hasanova