The United States has put forward a new proposal that would secure the release of a handful of living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a month-long extension of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has said Hamas is feigning “flexibility” in public while making entirely different demands in private, as discussions continue on the next steps for the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

Palestinian group Hamas on Friday said it welcomes any proposal to ensure the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement that the group is determined to implement all three phases of the truce agreement.