NYT: 5-Stage Ceasefire Deal To Release 10 Live,18 Dead Hostages- With US Assurances To Hamas On War End

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A potential new cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas is taking shape, with the main focus on the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

According to sources cited by The New York Times, including an Israeli defense official and a Palestinian familiar with the negotiations, the outline reflects months of back-channel diplomacy aimed at ending the war and bringing hostages home.

Under the proposed deal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others over a 60-day period. In return for the release of hostages and remains, Israel would free an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. Details on the number or identity of these prisoners have not been made public.

These would be transferred in five separate phases. This marks a significant departure from the Witkoff plan proposed in May, which called for all hostages to be released within the first week of a cease-fire.

One notable shift in the proposal: Hamas would not be allowed to conduct televised handover events — a major point of contention in previous exchanges. During earlier truce agreements, Hamas broadcast hostage releases, with some captives pressured into making public statements of gratitude toward their captors. These displays sparked global outrage and condemnation. The new framework seeks to avoid similar scenes.

A key development in the current negotiations is the inclusion of what sources describe as stronger assurances from the United States. A new American clarification, shared with both sides, states that if no final agreement to end the war is reached within 60 days, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations remain serious and ongoing. According to officials close to the talks, this is meant to function as a de facto guarantee that Israel will not resume hostilities unilaterally.

While the plan has not been finalized, it represents the most detailed and concrete progress in weeks. With international mediators — particularly the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt — continuing to push both sides toward agreement, the coming days could be pivotal.

A diplomat briefed on the talks told the Associated Press that there was now a “big opportunity” to reach an agreement. “The indications we’re getting are people are ready,” he said, adding that Trump’s harsh talk toward Israel has “given a bit of confidence to Hamas” that the U.S. will guarantee any future deal and prevent a return to fighting.

Sources close to Hamas told the Saudi Al Akhbar newspaper that the terror group was “satisfied” with the wording of the guarantees added to the original proposal after Hamas refused any deal that did not include a guaranteed end to the war.

An official Hamas response is expected by Friday and the details about the American assurances to the terror group are unknown.