Gaza Ceasefire Proposal: Hamas Wants Changes, Witkoff Calls Response ‘Unacceptable’
Hamas has responded to the ceasefire proposal put forward by the US Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, but asked for amendments, according to CNN
The Palestinian movement called for an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip – demands which Witkoff called “unacceptable.”
Proposal Amendments
Hamas submitted its response to the mediators Egypt and Qatar on Saturday. In a statement, it said its proposal “aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip.”
Under Hamas’ proposed deal, “10 living Israeli prisoners held by the resistance will be released, in addition to the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners,” the statement said.
Moreover, Hamas asked for changes in three key areas, CNN quoted a source familiar with the negotiations. These include extending the ceasefire beyond 60 days, humanitarian aid, and the positions to which Israeli forces will withdraw.
Witkoff Reaction
After receiving Hamas’ response, Witkoff described it as “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.” In a post on X, the US Envoy said: “Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week.”
Witkoff added that this is the “only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families and in which we can have at the proximity talks substantive negotiations in good-faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire.”
Israeli Response
In a similar vein, an Israeli official told CNN that they consider Hamas’ response as a rejection of Witkoff’s latest proposal, saying that the Palestinian movement “put forward a new offer with its own conditions.”
Furthermore, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, echoed Witkoff’s response. In a statement on Saturday, it said: “While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff outline for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to adhere to its refusal.” It also added that Israel will continue its war until the return of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.
Accusation of ‘Bias’
Responding to Witkoff’s remarks, the member of Hamas political bureau, Basem Naim, called the US Envoy’s comments a “complete bias.” He said that the US and Hamas had previously agreed on a ceasefire proposal, which Israel later amended. Then, Hamas presented an updated counterproposal.
“We did not reject Mr. Witkoff’s proposal. Last week we came to an agreement and understanding with him on a proposal, which he deemed acceptable for negotiation,” Naim said. “We were then presented with the Israeli response, which disagreed with all the provisions we had agreed upon,” he added.
The Hamas official described this as a violation of integrity and fairness of mediation, saying it “constitutes a complete bias towards the other side.”
Gaza’s Catastrophic Conditions
As a result of the Israeli blockade on aid entry into Gaza, the Strip has descended to what the UN described as the “worst catastrophic situation” since the war broke out, according to the UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
Similarly, the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) spokesperson, Jens Laerke, said that “Gaza is the hungriest place on Earth,” with its entire population at risk of famine.
The dire humanitarian conditions and mounting hunger have driven Gaza’s desperate Palestinians towards aid looting. According to the UN World Food Program (WFP), hungry Gazans stopped and offloaded 77 food trucks before they reached their destinations, in an attempt to feed their families.
The WFP urged for an immediate ceasefire to deliver aid to Gaza’s population. “WFP has enough food to feed all 2.2M people for 2 months. A ceasefire is the only way to deliver it safely,” it said.
