Hamas has issued a response to a recent ceasefire proposal put forth by the United States, indicating its willingness to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages. In exchange, the group is demanding the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas has also requested amendments to the original proposal, emphasizing its call for a permanent truce, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees for the continuous flow of humanitarian aid. Notably, these demands are not reflected in the current deal on the table.
Hamas's response to the US ceasefire proposal was neither a definitive acceptance nor a complete rejection. This ambiguity comes as Washington claims that Israel has accepted the terms outlined in the proposal. Hamas communicated its response to the US draft, which was presented by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East under former President Donald Trump. Witkoff remarked, “I received the Hamas response to the United States' proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.” He urged Hamas to accept the framework proposal as a basis for immediate proximity talks, which could lead to a 60-day ceasefire deal.
In a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was noted that while Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff outline for the release of hostages, Hamas continues to refuse to comply. The Israeli government considers Hamas a proscribed terror group, recognized as such by the US, UK, and EU. Hamas has reiterated its demands for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, alongside a sustained flow of humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
Currently, Hamas finds itself in an extremely challenging position, facing intense pressure from the 2.2 million residents of Gaza, who are living in dire conditions. As mediators push for a resolution, Hamas is reluctant to accept an American proposal that appears less favorable than previous offers it has turned down. In March, senior Hamas official and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya declared that the movement would not agree to partial deals that do not guarantee a complete and permanent cessation of hostilities.
Despite this, Hamas is also aware that outright rejection of the latest US offer could be detrimental, particularly as Israel seems poised to escalate its ground offensive in Gaza. The movement currently lacks the military capability to effectively resist such an escalation. Thus, rather than providing a straightforward answer, Hamas has essentially crafted its own counterproposal in response to the US terms.
While the full details of the US ceasefire proposal remain undisclosed and unconfirmed, reports suggest it includes several critical points: a 60-day pause in hostilities, the release of 28 Israeli hostages (both alive and deceased) in the first week, and an additional 30 hostages once a permanent ceasefire is established. Furthermore, the proposal outlines the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 deceased Palestinians, alongside the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the UN and other agencies.
The terms presented in the US proposal are reportedly aligned with what Israel can accept, as the White House secured Israel's approval before passing the proposal to Hamas. It appears unlikely that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will entertain the changes proposed by Hamas. Under pressure to secure the return of hostages, Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to agree to a temporary ceasefire. However, the Israeli government maintains its right to resume hostilities, which contradicts Hamas's core demand for guarantees that such a truce would pave the way for an end to the conflict.
Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a stark warning, stating that Hamas militants must choose between accepting the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for hostage release or face annihilation. In the latest reports from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, 60 individuals were killed and 284 injured within a 24-hour period due to Israeli airstrikes. These numbers do not include casualties from hospitals in the Northern Gaza Strip, where access remains severely restricted.
The ongoing military campaign in Gaza was initiated in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since the onset of the conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry reports that at least 54,381 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, including 4,117 since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, 2023.
