Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office reported that the cabinet will meet Saturday night to "receive a detailed report from the negotiating team and decide the next steps for the release of the hostages," following Hamas's proposal.
"While Israel has accepted (US Special Envoy Steve) Witkoff's plan, Hamas remains steadfast in its refusal and has not budged an inch. At the same time, it continues its manipulation and psychological warfare," the statement charged.
This announcement comes less than two hours after Hamas, in a statement via Telegram, confirmed its willingness to release dual-national Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, as well as the bodies of the four other Israeli-Americans still in the Gaza Strip.
In the statement, Hamas reiterated its supposed "total willingness" to reach a comprehensive agreement that includes everything agreed upon for the second phase and called on Israel to "fully comply with its obligations."
According to Israeli officials who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity yesterday, Witkoff supported the release of five hostages alive in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire in Gaza, during which negotiations would be held on continuing the agreement.
I think the best deal would be to release all the Reenes, and...
Whatever it takes, first get the hostages who are still in the hands of Hamas out!