In response to a US ceasefire proposal, Hamas indicated its willingness to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased ones in exchange for several Palestinian prisoners, while also suggesting amendments to the plan.
The group reiterated its call for a lasting truce, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees for uninterrupted humanitarian aid, none of which are part of the current deal.
Hamas’s reaction was neither a clear acceptance nor a definitive rejection of the US terms, which Washington claims Israel has agreed to.
Hamas reported that it has sent its feedback on the US draft proposed by Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Middle East from US President Donald Trump.
Witkoff stated: “I have received Hamas’s response to our proposal. It is completely unacceptable and only moves us backward. Hamas should adhere to the framework we have presented as the starting point for proximity talks, which we can initiate immediately next week.”
“This is the only way to finalize a 60-day ceasefire agreement in the near future.”
An announcement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office noted: “While Israel has accepted the updated Witkoff plan for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to refuse.”
Hamas, designated a terror organization by the US, UK, and EU, insists on a “permanent ceasefire” and a “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The group is seeking a consistent supply of aid for Palestinians in the enclave and proposed to release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 deceased hostages in exchange for “an agreed number” of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
However, Hamas currently finds itself in one of the most challenging positions it has faced since the conflict began.
Under immense pressure from 2.2 million civilians enduring dire conditions and from mediators, the group is unable to accept an American offer that is reportedly less generous than previous proposals it has turned down multiple times, the latest being in March.
At that time, senior Hamas official and lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya firmly stated that the movement would not agree to partial arrangements that do not ensure a complete and permanent ceasefire.
Yet, Hamas also cannot outright reject the latest US proposal, fully aware that Israel is gearing up to escalate its military offensive in Gaza.
The movement lacks the military capability to prevent or effectively counter such an attack.
Caught between these two realities, Hamas effectively responded to the US proposal not with a solution, but with an entirely new counteroffer.
The specific details of the US plan remain undisclosed and unverified, but key points reportedly include:
- A 60-day pause in hostilities
- The release of 28 Israeli hostages (both living and deceased) within the first week, with an additional 30 to follow once a permanent ceasefire is established
- The release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 deceased Palestinians
- The provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the UN and other organizations
The terms presented were those that Israel could approve—this was ensured by obtaining Israel’s consent before relaying the proposal to Hamas.
It is improbable that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be open to negotiating the alterations that Hamas seeks.
He faces pressure to secure the return of the hostages and has expressed readiness to accept a temporary ceasefire to facilitate this.
However, the Israeli government has consistently maintained that it reserves the right to resume hostilities, contradicting Hamas’s core demand for assurances that a temporary truce would lead to the end of the conflict.
Netanyahu has asserted that the war will conclude only when Hamas “surrenders its arms, is no longer in control [and] its leaders are exiled from Gaza”.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz was even more forthright this week, stating: “The Hamas terrorists will now face a choice: accept the terms of the ‘Witkoff Deal’ for the release of the hostages or face annihilation,” he asserted.
In response to Witkoff’s latest remarks, Hamas official Basem Naim told the BBC that the group had reached an agreement with him the previous week on a proposal “which he deemed acceptable for negotiation”—but the Israeli response “was at odds with all the terms we had concorded.”
“Why is every time the Israeli response considered the sole basis for negotiation?” he asked.
“This undermines the integrity and equity of mediation and reflects a complete bias towards the opposing side.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas’s control, reported that 60 individuals had died and another 284 were injured within the last 24 hours due to Israeli strikes.
This figure does not account for casualties from hospitals situated in the North Gaza Strip Governorate due to challenges in accessing the area.
Israel initiated a military operation in Gaza following Hamas’s cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, which left approximately 1,200 dead and 251 hostages taken.
Since then, at least 54,381 individuals have been reported killed in Gaza, including 4,117 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.