Israel ‘seriously considering’ latest US truce offer, but Hamas seen as unlikely to accept

 Israel is “very seriously considering” US President Donald Trump’s new hostage release-ceasefire proposal, according to a source close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“It seems that Hamas will continue its refusal,” says the source.

The Trump proposal envisions the release of all hostages on the first day of a truce and, if subsequent talks bear fruit, the end of the war in Gaza, Channel 12 reports.

Hamas has yet to respond. The terror group is seen as unlikely to accept such an offer.

According to the proposal, Hamas would release all 48 living and dead hostages on day one, while Israel would release hundreds of terrorists with blood on their hands, and thousands of other prisoners.

In addition, the IDF would call off the impending conquest of Gaza City and would remain outside the city, according to the report.

The two sides would engage in talks over the end of the war under the personal oversight of Trump, and the ceasefire would continue as long as negotiations last.

According to Channel 12, Trump and US special envoy Steve Witkoff came up with the idea during a round of golf a week ago. Witkoff passed the offer through unofficial Trump adviser Bishara Bahbah and Israeli activist Gershon Baskin.

Witkoff met with Qatari officials in Paris last week to discuss the idea. There have been multiple reports in recent days that the White House was pushing a new vision for a comprehensive deal, but more precise details only emerged today.

Channel 12 notes that the terror group is wary of offers that don’t go through Egypt and Qatar, and is reluctant to take Trump at his word after he didn’t give them anything in exchange for the release of US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander, though it had been understood he would pressure Israel to end the war.

The proposal comes as Israel continues its preparations for the invasion of Gaza City.