Tel Aviv:

Hamas appeared to reject the proposed framework for a hostage deal with Israel, claiming it would not accept any deal that did not include the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.

Israel reportedly agreed to the plan during negotiations in Paris aimed at securing the release of hostages held by the Hamas group.

Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine issued a joint statement insisting that any deal must include an end to the ongoing conflict and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. According to the Times of Israel, the organization stressed that Israel must stop its “aggression” before any exchange agreement can be considered.

A senior Hamas official said the group wanted a “comprehensive and comprehensive ceasefire” in Gaza, a condition that appeared to contradict previous demands for an immediate end to hostilities.

The proposed agreement, drawn up at a meeting involving the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, as well as U.S., Qatari and Egyptian officials, outlines a phased process.

The deal would involve the release of all Israeli hostages, starting with vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and the sick. Israel’s offensive against Hamas will be “staged” during hostage release process.

Under the deal, Israel will also allow more aid to Gaza and release a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

The Times of Israel reported, citing news from Channel 12, that the core of the proposal was to suspend fighting for 45 days in exchange for 35 to 40 hostages in the first phase. Approximately 100 to 250 Palestinian prisoners will be released for each hostage. Further hostage releases would follow in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and the release of a greater proportion of Palestinian security prisoners for each hostage.

The framework reportedly does not establish a permanent ceasefire but leaves open the possibility. The deal also includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

While Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed optimism about progress in talks and said Hamas could change its position, Israel remained cautious. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement neither confirming nor denying the existence of the agreement, but noted that the report contained conditions “unacceptable to Israel.”

Israeli officials told The Times of Israel on Monday they were cautious. “There is still a long road ahead,” one official said.

“We are in a much better position than we were a few weeks ago,” Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.

“Yesterday, good progress was made in restoring the situation and at least laying the foundation for moving forward,” the Qatari prime minister added, saying the proposal would be conveyed to Hamas.

Al-Thani also said an agreement could lead to a permanent ceasefire “in the future.”

The situation remains fluid, with conflicting statements from both sides, and Israel’s war cabinet plans to meet to discuss ongoing negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt will hold a Quad meeting to discuss a potential deal with Hamas. The talks were deemed “constructive” but there were still significant differences that needed to be resolved in subsequent meetings.

“The parties will discuss remaining significant differences at additional meetings this week,” the project office added.

CIA Director Bill Burns discussed the impending agreement with Mossad intelligence chief David Bania, Qatar’s al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal.

It is believed that the 132 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 are still being held in Gaza.

Hamas has demanded an end to the war and the withdrawal of IDF troops as conditions for their release, but Israel has rejected these conditions.

The war broke out after Hamas-led terrorists launched a massive attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing nearly 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Hamas and other terrorists also abducted 253 people of all ages, mostly civilians, into Gaza.

Israel subsequently launched military operations in Gaza, resulting in at least 26,637 deaths and 65,387 injuries.

Netanyahu faced pressure from the hostages’ families, holding rallies in Tel Aviv calling for a deal. In November, approximately 100 hostages were released under a ceasefire agreement.

According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that 28 people still detained by Hamas had died.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)