The proposal, presented by Qatar and based on the Witkoff framework, calls for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies during a 60-day ceasefire.

Hamas is set to respond to the 60-day ceasefire proposal within the coming hours, sources told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday at press time, noting that there is increased optimism that the response will be positive.

The proposal, presented by Qatar and based on the Witkoff framework, calls for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies during a 60-day ceasefire. During that period, the sides are expected to hold talks aimed at ending the war.

On Thursday, senior Hamas officials met in Turkey to discuss the recently proposed framework.

Under the terms of the deal, eight hostages would be freed on the first day, with two more released on day 50. The bodies of the deceased would be returned in three phases across the two-month ceasefire.

Prisoners exchanged for hostages

In exchange for the hostages, Israel would release 125 Palestinian prisoners in addition to 1,111 Gazans that Israel had arrested after October 7.

“If Hamas gives a positive response to the proposal, we will enter into difficult proximity talks about the key issues and the number of prisoners to be released. It will be difficult and there will be more crises,” an Israeli official told Walla.

Sources told Asharq al-Aswat that the deal on the table does not currently state a clear end date to the war.

Walla reported that this could indicate either that the terror group has doubts about finalizing a deal or that it is willing to accept more vague wording than it has previously.