An Arab diplomat has revealed that Hamas has significantly softened its stance in a new ceasefire and hostage release proposal, withdrawing most of the demands that previously led to the breakdown of negotiations. The updated plan, presented to Qatari officials, offers the release of ten living hostages and the bodies of slain hostages in exchange for a sixty-day truce and the release of one hundred and fifty Palestinian prisoners.

Despite this shift, Israel maintains its position against partial agreements, insisting on the release of all hostages, the disarmament and demilitarization of Gaza, and security control over the territory before ending the conflict. Arab mediators are nonetheless promoting the deal as a potential pathway to a comprehensive agreement, aiming to use the temporary truce period to negotiate terms for a permanent ceasefire.

The proposal closely mirrors one crafted by a United States envoy earlier this year, and the diplomat suggests that recent statements from United States leadership may be intended to pressure Hamas into accepting these terms.