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Monday, August 18, 2025
Hamas eases demands on release of Palestinians serving life sentences, Israeli withdrawal — report
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
In its latest ceasefire-hostage release proposal, Hamas has eased its positions on two of the sticking points from last month’s round of talks — the release of prisoners serving life sentences and the size of an Israeli buffer zone along the Gaza border — Channel 12 reports.
A few weeks ago, Hamas sought the release of 200 prisoners serving life sentences, while Israel agreed to 125. The group is now demanding roughly 150, narrowing the gap considerably, according to the Hebrew network.
On the buffer zone along the Gaza border, Israel is insisting on a strip between one and 1.2 kilometers wide. Hamas, which previously demanded a maximum of 800 meters, is now willing to accept between 800 meters and one kilometer, the report continues.
An Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that the new proposal retreats from most of the demands Hamas raised that derailed the talks in Doha last month.
In recent hours, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Israel’s lead negotiator, has been holding discussions with United States special envoy Steve Witkoff and with Qatari mediators to further clarify details of the proposal, Channel 12 adds.
The Times of Israel Community.