Amid growing fear of a stronger American response and increasing global pressure, Hamas has offered to release 10 living hostages along with the remains of 18 others in exchange for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The offer came as part of Hamas’s response to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the nearly eight-month-long war with Israel.

The proposal, initially pushed by the Biden administration through U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, outlines a multi-phase truce beginning with a 60-day pause in fighting. During this time, Hamas would release the first group of Israeli hostages, and in return, Israel would free 125 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,000 detainees from Gaza. Additionally, the bodies of 180 deceased Palestinians would be returned.

Hamas’s counterproposal included demands for a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid, and international guarantees to prevent the resumption of hostilities. Senior Hamas leaders reportedly emphasized they want firm assurances from the U.S. that Israel—particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—will adhere to a long-term ceasefire once hostages are released.

Sources close to the negotiations say Hamas is acting partly out of fear. With U.S. patience thinning and pressure mounting from Arab mediators like Qatar and Egypt, Hamas is increasingly concerned that refusing the plan could trigger harsher U.S. actions, whether through diplomatic isolation or support for intensified Israeli military operations.

“America’s influence is undeniable, and Hamas understands the cost of defying a globally endorsed plan,” said a regional analyst. “They’re not just negotiating with Israel—they’re negotiating with Washington.”

While Israel has reportedly accepted the framework of the U.S. proposal, Netanyahu’s office remains cautious about final commitments. Hamas, on the other hand, wants the U.S. to guarantee that the deal won’t be used as a tactical pause, only to resume fighting once the hostages are freed.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. With over 2 million people facing famine conditions due to Israel’s blockade and limited aid access, the World Food Program warned that Gaza is on the brink of a full-scale catastrophe. Recent reports show that aid trucks are being looted by desperate civilians before reaching their destinations.

International organizations and allies continue to push for a resolution. The United Nations and Qatar have urged both sides to agree to the deal and stop the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.

As the situation remains tense, the next few days will be crucial. If the hostage-for-ceasefire proposal holds, it could mark the beginning of the end of one of the most devastating chapters in the Gaza-Israel conflict—driven by diplomatic urgency and the fear of what could come next.