Hamas amendments to U.S. ceasefire, hostage release proposal 'totally unacceptable': Witkoff
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed on Saturday night that Hamas had effectively rejected the latest American ceasefire proposal.
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'I received the Hamas response to the United States' proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward,' said Witkoff.
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He urged Hamas to accept the framework put forward by Washington as a basis for proximity talks, which he said could begin as early as next week.
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'That is the only way we can finalize a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days—one that would see half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased returned to their families,' he said. 'Through these proximity talks, we can also engage in substantive, good-faith negotiations to try to reach a permanent ceasefire.'
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had agreed to the U.S. framework and placed blame for the impasse squarely on Hamas.
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The Palestinian terror group 'persists in its refusal,' he said, adding, 'Israel will continue its efforts to return our hostages and defeat Hamas.'
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The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, said proposed amendments focused on 'the U.S. guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.' There were no details.
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A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released 'in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.'
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Hamas bears full responsibility for the ongoing war, citing the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and the terrorist group's continued refusal to release captives or disarm.
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'If France and the U.K. want to reach a ceasefire, pressure should be put on Hamas, which continues to say 'no,' instead of attacking Israel, which says 'yes,'' said Sa'ar.
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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned in a statement on Friday that Hamas has a choice: accept the Witkoff proposal or face destruction.
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'The (Israel Defence Forces) continues its operations in Gaza with full force, striking and dismantling Hamas strongholds, while evacuating the local population from every combat zone and attacking the area from the air, land and sea on an unprecedented scale,' the statement read.
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