Hamas has put forth its response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. However, the lead negotiator for the US has rendered the response “totally unacceptable.”
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The militant group described its reaction as positive but underscored the necessity for a permanent ceasefire—a long-standing contention for Israel. As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “Hamas continues to cling to its rejectionism,” reiterating the US envoy Steve Witkoff’s stance on the response being inadequate.
Israel previously issued a stark warning to Hamas: accept the proposed deal and release hostages held in Gaza “or be annihilated.”
Under this proposed agreement, ten living prisoners currently held by the resistance would be released alongside the return of 18 deceased bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
A spokesperson from Hamas’s political bureau mentioned, “We responded positively to Mr. Witkoff but emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
Witkoff, however, maintained that Hamas’s response “only takes us backward,” urging them to “embrace the framework proposal we laid out.” He further stressed, “This is the only path towards finalizing a 60-day ceasefire deal in the upcoming days.” This would allow for half of the living hostages and half of the deceased to return to their families, enabling substantive negotiations aimed at a lasting ceasefire.
Hamas has expressed concerns over perceived biases in the negotiations, with Bassem Naim, a member of the group’s political bureau, highlighting what he described as “a complete bias” favoring Israel. He accused Israel of contradicting previously agreed-upon terms with the US envoy.
Hamas insists that any deal must pave the way for a permanent conclusion to the conflict, while Israel remains focused on dismantling Hamas to prevent a repeat of the October 2023 attack that ignited the current war.
Recently, Israel intensified its operations in Gaza, citing the need to defeat Hamas decisively.
The Israeli administration, while agreeing to the updated Witkoff framework for hostage release, stated, “Hamas continues to hold onto its rejectionism.” Netanyahu’s office described the group’s response as “unacceptable,” asserting that it sets back progress in the negotiations. “Israel is committed to bringing our hostages home and defeating Hamas,” they concluded.
Efforts to secure a breakthrough in negotiations have proven elusive, especially since a prior ceasefire collapsed on March 18 amid resumed Israeli operations. Former US President Donald Trump remarked that the involved parties were “very close to an agreement.”
Insiders close to the negotiations conveyed that Witkoff’s proposal involves a 60-day truce, which may be extendable to 70 days. Initial conditions would include the release of five living hostages and nine deceased bodies in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, followed by a subsequent exchange the following week.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil, Gaza is experiencing dire conditions, as noted by a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, who labeled the region as “the hungriest place on Earth.” The situation is alarming, with the UN warning in May that the entire population is at risk of famine.
“After 603 days of war, we wish to remind everyone that war is a means, not an end in itself,” stated the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, emphasizing the unified desire among Israeli society to secure the return of all remaining hostages, “even at the cost of ending the war.”
Israel is facing growing international criticism due to the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza. Aid flows remain limited following the partial lifting of a more than two-month blockade, with reports of looting impacting UN supplies. The World Food Programme has called on Israel to facilitate significantly greater food assistance into Gaza more swiftly, warning that the worsening circumstances are exacerbating insecurity.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported on Saturday that at least 4,117 individuals have lost their lives since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, bringing the total death toll of the conflict to 54,381, predominantly civilians. The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,218 fatalities in Israel, most of which were also civilians.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
