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Hamas said it would turn over the bodies of the boys, Ariel Bibas and his baby brother, Kfir, and their mother. Israel was expected to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

The group said that mediators were working “to remove obstacles and close gaps” after the cease-fire deal with Israel hit a roadblock. Israel has yet to comment.

Hamas said it agreed to release Edan Alexander and turn over the bodies of four other hostages. But both the White House and Israel said Hamas wasn’t serious, suggesting a deal wasn’t close.

A top deputy to the killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar vowed that his “banner will not fall” and that the group would hold to its cease-fire conditions.

The group said the two were killed by Israeli airstrikes, which the Israeli military said was at least partly false.

The strategy mirrors efforts by extremist groups like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in years past.

Hamas’s new proposal would allow the release of hostages in exchange for a phased pullback of Israeli troops. It could restart negotiations.

Of the roughly 250 people kidnapped during the Oct. 7 attacks, 120 are believed to remain in Gaza. Israel believes at least third of them have died.

Israeli forces were engaged in intense battles on Monday in Khan Younis, Jabaliya and Shajaiye.

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’ political wing, said the group was reviewing the latest proposal in a “positive spirit,” and would send representatives to Cairo to continue negotiations.