Al Jazeera.net obtains a copy of Hamas’ response to Witkoff’s proposal | News

Al Jazeera Net has obtained a copy of the Islamic Resistance Movement’s response (Hamas) on the U.S. envoy’s proposal Steve Witkoff to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip Gaza and exchange of prisoners.

The movement announced that it handed the mediators its response to the proposal on Saturday, which would achieve “a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip.”

The group’s response includes the release of 10 live Israeli prisoners and 18 corpses in several installments in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners during a 60-day ceasefire during which negotiations on ending the war and the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip will take place.

The following is the text of Hamas’ May 31 response:

“A Framework for Negotiating a Permanent Ceasefire Agreement”

Duration: 60-day ceasefire. President Trump guarantees Israel’s commitment to the ceasefire during the agreed period.

Release of Israeli prisoners and bodies: 10 live Israeli prisoners and 18 bodies will be released, with 4 live prisoners to be released on the first day, 2 live prisoners on the 30th day, and 4 live prisoners on the 60th day. As for the bodies, 6 will be delivered on the tenth day, 6 on the thirtieth day, and 6 on the fiftieth day.

Aid and the humanitarian situation:

• Aid will be brought into Gaza as soon as the ceasefire agreement is approved, in accordance with the humanitarian protocol included in the January 19, 2025 agreement, through the United Nations, its agencies, and other organizations, including the Red Crescent.
• Rehabilitation of infrastructure (electricity, water, sewage, communications and roads) and the entry of the necessary materials, including construction materials, and the rehabilitation and operation of hospitals, health centers, schools and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza Strip.
• Allow Gaza residents to travel to and from the Gaza Strip via Rafah crossing without any restrictions, and the return of goods and trade.
• During the period of negotiations, arrangements and plans for the reconstruction of homes, facilities and infrastructure that were destroyed during the war and support for those affected by the war will be finalized, and the implementation of a 3-5 year reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip will begin under the supervision of a number of countries and organizations including Egypt, Qatar and the UN: Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

Israeli military activities: All Israeli military activities in Gaza will cease upon entry into force of this agreement. During the ceasefire period, aerial flights (military and reconnaissance) in the Gaza Strip will be suspended for 10 hours per day, and during prisoner and detainee exchange days for 12 hours.

Withdrawal of Israeli forces: On the first day, four Israeli prisoners will be released alive, and Israeli forces will withdraw to where they were before March 2, 2025 in all areas of the Gaza Strip, according to the maps stipulated in the January 19, 2025 agreement.

Negotiations: On the first day, indirect negotiations will begin under the auspices of the Permanent Ceasefire Guarantors, on the following topics:

• Keys and conditions for the exchange of all remaining Israeli prisoners, in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
• Declaration of a permanent ceasefire and total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
• (After agreement on the exchange of prisoners and the remaining bodies and before the start of the handover procedures, a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip will be announced.)

• Arrangements for the next day in the Gaza Strip:

• A committee of independent technocrats to manage all affairs of the Gaza Strip immediately after the implementation of this agreement, with full powers and functions.
• Cessation of mutual (hostile) military operations between the two sides for a long period of 5-7 years, guaranteed by the mediators (USA, Egypt and Qatar).

Presidential support: The President is serious about the parties adhering to the ceasefire agreement and insists that negotiations during the temporary ceasefire, if successfully concluded with an agreement between the parties, will lead to a permanent solution to the conflict.

Release of Palestinian prisoners and bodies:

• In exchange for the release of the 10 living Israeli prisoners and 18 bodies, a mutually agreed upon number of Palestinian prisoners and bodies will be released.
• The release of living prisoners and dead bodies will take place simultaneously and according to an agreed-upon mechanism.

Status of prisoners and detainees:

• On Day 10, Hamas will provide information on the number of living and dead prisoners of the remaining Hamas and Palestinian factions, and in return, Israel will provide full information on all living and dead prisoners captured from the Gaza Strip since 7-10-2023.
• Hamas is committed to ensuring the health, care and security of Israeli detainees immediately after the ceasefire, while Israel is committed to ensuring the health, care and security of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons and detention centers in accordance with international law and norms.

Release the remaining prisoners: Negotiations on a permanent ceasefire should be completed within 60 days. Upon agreement and following the declaration of a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the remaining prisoners (living and dead) from Israel’s list of 58 will be released in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.

Guarantors: The guarantor mediators (US, Egypt, Qatar) guarantee that the ceasefire will last for 60 days and that negotiations will continue until a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached, with continued cessation of military operations and humanitarian access.

The envoy leads the negotiations: Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff will come to the region to finalize the agreement. Witkoff will lead the negotiations.

President Trump: President Trump will personally announce the ceasefire agreement: The United States and President Trump are committed to ensuring that negotiations continue in earnest until a final agreement is reached.