US Envoy Criticizes Hamas Response to Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
Steven Witkoff labels Hamas's counter-proposal as 'completely unacceptable' amidst ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.
US envoy Steven Witkoff expressed strong disapproval of Hamas's response to his ceasefire proposal for Gaza, characterizing it as 'completely unacceptable' and urging the group to accept the proposed timeline for indirect negotiations that could begin within a week.
Witkoff stated on social media platform X that acceptance of the proposal is the only path towards establishing a ceasefire agreement lasting 60 days.
In exchange, he suggested that Hamas would need to release half of the living hostages it holds and half of the deceased bodies in its possession.
According to reports, a senior Israeli official conveyed that Hamas requested a 7-year ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied since March, alongside the cessation of humanitarian aid coordination through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and a return to the previous aid distribution system.
The official remarked that this counter-proposal effectively closes the door on negotiations.
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that Hamas's counter-response included conditions that would complicate any potential resumption of hostilities until a permanent ceasefire agreement is concluded by the end of the designated 60-day truce.
Furthermore, modifications proposed by Hamas aim to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from retracting from the ceasefire talks post the release of ten hostages, referencing previous instances where similar withdrawals occurred.
In its latest statement, Hamas announced plans to release ten living Israeli hostages and deliver eighteen bodies in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
This announcement was perceived by Israeli officials as a rejection of the initial proposal.
Hamas communicated its response to Witkoff's proposal via intermediaries, asserting that the revised terms are essential for achieving a lasting ceasefire and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli responses have indicated that Hamas's counter-proposal resets the terms of the negotiation and emphasizes its demand for Israeli concessions regarding Gaza.
Concurring with the tensions surrounding the negotiations, former President Donald Trump commented that the parties are nearing an agreement on a ceasefire based on Witkoff's framework.
He suggested that discussions on the matter would happen shortly.
Witkoff stated on social media platform X that acceptance of the proposal is the only path towards establishing a ceasefire agreement lasting 60 days.
In exchange, he suggested that Hamas would need to release half of the living hostages it holds and half of the deceased bodies in its possession.
According to reports, a senior Israeli official conveyed that Hamas requested a 7-year ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied since March, alongside the cessation of humanitarian aid coordination through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and a return to the previous aid distribution system.
The official remarked that this counter-proposal effectively closes the door on negotiations.
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that Hamas's counter-response included conditions that would complicate any potential resumption of hostilities until a permanent ceasefire agreement is concluded by the end of the designated 60-day truce.
Furthermore, modifications proposed by Hamas aim to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from retracting from the ceasefire talks post the release of ten hostages, referencing previous instances where similar withdrawals occurred.
In its latest statement, Hamas announced plans to release ten living Israeli hostages and deliver eighteen bodies in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
This announcement was perceived by Israeli officials as a rejection of the initial proposal.
Hamas communicated its response to Witkoff's proposal via intermediaries, asserting that the revised terms are essential for achieving a lasting ceasefire and ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli responses have indicated that Hamas's counter-proposal resets the terms of the negotiation and emphasizes its demand for Israeli concessions regarding Gaza.
Concurring with the tensions surrounding the negotiations, former President Donald Trump commented that the parties are nearing an agreement on a ceasefire based on Witkoff's framework.
He suggested that discussions on the matter would happen shortly.
