Washington has rejected an assertion by Hamas that the group had accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal that reportedly involves the liberation of 10 hostages in two batches and a 70-day truce.

A Hamas source told AFP that the group had “agreed to the new proposal” by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, “which the movement received from mediators.”

But reporting by Axios, confirmed to AFP by Witkoff’s spokesman, said the US envoy disputed that the Palestinian militant group had agreed to his proposal.

“White House envoy Steve Witkoff rejects Hamas’ claim that the group has agreed to his proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal,” Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on X.

He went on to cite the US envoy saying: “What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable.”

Asked about the post, Witkoff’s spokesman said: “The Axios tweet is correct.”