Pakistan, May 31 -- Hamas has responded to a new US ceasefire proposal by agreeing to release 10 living hostages. The proposal came from US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and was approved earlier by Israel. Hamas said it made the decision to reduce the suffering of its people. However, the group did not clearly say whether it fully accepted the entire proposal.

In its official statement, Hamas said it will also return 18 bodies of Israeli citizens. In exchange, Israel would release an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. The deal could lead to a 60-day truce, possibly extended to 70 days. Negotiators hope it will bring a pause to the violence in Gaza. Talks have been stuck since the last ceasefire broke down in March.

The first phase of...