Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that his government accepts U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff's proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, state-owned Kan TV news reported.
According to Kan, Netanyahu made the remarks during a meeting with families of hostages who are believed to be deceased.
Netanyahu's office was not immediately ready to comment.
The White House said on Thursday that Israel has signed off on a 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal as Israeli army continues its military actions in the war-torn area.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed at a press briefing that Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas.
Earlier on Thursday, Hamas said in a statement that it had received the proposal and its leadership is studying it and Israel's response in a responsible manner, considering that the people in Gaza are suffering genocide.
"The Hamas leadership has received Witkoff's new proposal from the mediators and is responsibly studying it in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," it said.
Quoting a senior Israeli official, Kan reported that the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in two phases. Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians.
The proposal does not require Israel to commit to ending its 19-month offensive in Gaza, but requires that both Israel and Hamas engage in negotiations on a long-term truce. The United States, Egypt and Qatar will serve as guarantors of the ceasefire deal.
Israel estimated that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive.
Israel ended a previous three-phase ceasefire deal in March, following two months of truce during which Hamas released 33 hostages. Israel declined to proceed with the second phase and resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18.
The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli attacks has topped 54,000 since the start of the conflict in October 2023, according to the latest figure from Gaza's health authorities.
Israel accepts US Gaza ceasefire proposal as Hamas mulls over it
Israel accepts US Gaza ceasefire proposal as Hamas mulls over it
Israel accepts US Gaza ceasefire proposal as Hamas mulls over it
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
