Hamas accepts U.S. hostage deal with reservations

In recent developments, Hamas has offered initial approval for a hostage release deal that, upon implementation, would invoke a 60-day truce alongside the phased release of hostages. This situation unfolded as of summer 2025, primarily in the context of ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflicts occurring in Gaza. The proposal involves the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased individuals over the truce period, which has led to criticism from the Hostages Families Forum based on their concerns over the partial nature of the deal. Hamas's response, expressed on Friday, has been somewhat contradictory. While the organization indicated readiness to begin discussions immediately, they voiced significant reservations over particular aspects of the plan. Concerns revolved around the risk that the proposed truce might not evolve into a permanent ceasefire, allowing Israel to exploit the situation to continue military actions against them. In addition, the aid distribution mechanism is a pivotal issue in the negotiations. Hamas insists that the current U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation be replaced with the original UN-approved aid distribution mechanism. This demand highlights the deep-seated distrust between the parties, given Hamas’s allegations against Israel regarding the misappropriation of aid. Moreover, Hamas has called for the Israeli Defense Forces to withdraw from regions in Gaza, where they were stationed prior to the breakdown of the ceasefire in March. As negotiations progress, the complexities surrounding the hostage release deal continue to grow. While capability negotiations could start immediately, characterized by a phased release of captives, the Hostages Families Forum has been vocal in their opposition to segmented deals that do not guarantee the return of all hostages simultaneously. Their statements emphasize the emotional turmoil experienced by families involved, underscoring their belief that a comprehensive agreement would be the ethical and correct approach to follow. In this tense environment, expectations remain high for the negotiations to yield not only a temporary ceasefire but also a long-term resolution that would address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and the intricate dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.