US says Netanyahu accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal, 'Hamas yet to respond'

The White House on Thursday (May 29) confirmed that the the Israel had accepted US President Donald Trump's proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, while discussions were ‘continuing" with Hamas’.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "I can confirm that Special Envoy Witkoff and the President submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel backed and supported… I have no information that Hamas has agreed.”

“Talks are still ongoing regarding the ceasefire, and we are unaware of Hamas's agreement,” Karoline added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, Reuters reported on Thursday (May 29), citing local Israeli media.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said earlier that it had received the new proposal from mediators and was studying it.

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According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told hostage families earlier on Thursday that he is prepared to move forward with US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s latest temporary ceasefire and hostage deal proposal, the Axios news site reported.

Hamas is reportedly unsatisfied with it, as it leaves an opening for Israel to resume fighting after the temporary truce concludes.

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Earlier, Steve Witkoff said that he is hopeful about facilitating a deal to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and secure the release of additional hostages taken during the attack.

"I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution — a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict," Steve Witkoff said in Washington on Wednesday.

As per several media reports, the proposal includes the release of 10 living hostages held in Gaza and the return of the bodies of 18 deceased captives, in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire.

On May 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced that the Israeli military had killed Hamas Gaza chief and brother of slain former chief Muhammad Sinwar.

"We eliminated Mohammed Sinwar," Netanyahu told a parliament plenary session. Israeli media reported that Sinwar was targeted in Israeli air strikes in southern Gaza earlier this month.