Israeli Anticipation for Hamas Response on Ceasefire Proposal Within Hours

23 July 2025, 5:11 AM

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حماس - Hamas — Shareef Sarhan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Israeli media sources reported that Tel Aviv expects a response from Hamas within hours regarding the proposed ceasefire, with expectations that it will be a conditional reply, consistent with previous negotiation rounds. The sources also indicated significant progress in talks related to a potential prisoner exchange, coinciding with the anticipated arrival of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to the region.

صفقة - Deal — Abedallah Alhaj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Witkoff is expected to meet in Europe with Israeli Minister Ron Dermer and a representative from Qatar to finalize key elements of the agreement. The primary points of contention center around the withdrawal lines from the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel has reportedly offered to pull back between 1,000 and 1,200 meters, while Hamas is demanding a withdrawal to 800 meters. The movement is also pushing to include more prisoners with long-term sentences, with the current gap between both sides estimated at 150 detainees.

ويتكوف - Witkoff — (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Israeli officials believe these differences are resolvable. Should an initial agreement be reached, it is expected to span 60 days and include the release of 10 living hostages and 18 deceased, whose remains would be returned in phases. Hamas is also seeking guarantees to extend the temporary ceasefire beyond the initial period until a comprehensive deal is achieved. These guarantees remain under discussion.