Hamas responds to US ceasefire plan with bold demands
ALBAWABA - Hamas has formally submitted its response to a ceasefire proposal led by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, calling for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. Also Read Osama Dawoud health scare shifts Social Media views on vaping
The full document, obtained by Al Jazeera Net, outlines detailed terms that would guide a 60-day truce period during which further negotiations would take place.
In its reply, Hamas agreed to release 10 live Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in multiple phases in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. The initial phase would see four Israeli captives released on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by additional releases on the 30th and 60th days. Similarly, the remains of six Israeli captives would be returned in each of three intervals—on days 10, 30, and 50.
The response emphasizes immediate access for humanitarian aid upon the agreement's activation. This includes restoration of essential infrastructure—electricity, water, sanitation, telecommunications—as well as the reopening of hospitals, schools, and bakeries. It also calls for unrestricted travel through the Rafah crossing and resumption of commercial movement.
A significant component of the proposal involves the redeployment of Israeli troops. Hamas demands that the Israeli military withdraw to positions held before March 2, 2025. During the truce, military and surveillance flights would be banned over Gaza for at least 10 hours daily, and 12 hours on days involving prisoner exchanges.
#حماس pic.twitter.com/vsbGOAEo3q — صخر Sakhr (@sakhrgaza) May 31, 2025
Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and final prisoner swaps would begin on day one of the truce. Hamas proposes that a neutral technocratic committee assume governance of Gaza during the transition period. Additionally, the group demands a 5–7-year cessation of hostilities, guaranteed by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.
The agreement would be overseen and guaranteed by the same three nations. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to lead the negotiations on the ground, while President Donald Trump is set to announce the agreement personally, underscoring Washington's commitment to reaching a lasting resolution.
Hamas also commits to providing details on all remaining Israeli hostages within 10 days of the agreement and demands reciprocal disclosure from Israel regarding Palestinian prisoners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
2 hours ago
- Roya News
Who was behind Colorado pro-"Israel" rally attack?
Law enforcement authorities in the US state of Colorado announced that they have identified the suspect in the Molotov cocktail attack that targeted a pro-"Israeli" demonstration in the city of Boulder on Sunday afternoon. Authorities stated that the suspect is named Mohamed Soliman, who was arrested without resistance. Police noted that investigations are still ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack, in cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). US security sources revealed that the suspect in the attack targeting a pro-"Israel" group in Boulder, Colorado, was residing illegally in the United States. According to Fox News, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, entered the US on a tourist visa in 2022 during former President Biden's administration, but remained in the country after his visa expired. Reports indicate that Suleiman arrived at Los Angeles International Airport in August 2022 and was permitted to stay until February 2023. He filed an immigration application in September 2022 and was granted a work permit in March 2023, which expired last month. Earlier on Sunday, the FBI director announced the launch of an investigation into what he described as a 'targeted terrorist attack,' confirming that FBI personnel were working alongside local law enforcement at the scene on Pearl Street Mall, a popular shopping area in downtown Boulder. The attack resulted in several injuries, with victims transported to nearby hospitals, including the suspect himself, who is currently receiving treatment under tight security. In the first official comment, Axios reported that a senior White House official confirmed President Donald Trump had been briefed on developments regarding the attack. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also commented on the incident on X, saying, 'We're united in prayer for the victims of this targeted terrorist attack... Terrorism has no place in our great country.' We're united in prayer for the victims of a targeted terror attack this afternoon in Boulder. Terror has no place in our great country. — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 1, 2025 For his part, the Israeli Occupation's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said: 'We are facing a wave of antisemitic terrorism against Jews in the United States.' — Danny Danon דני דנון (@dannydanon) June 1, 2025
Al Bawaba
4 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Who is Mohamed Sabry Soliman, Colorado attacker?
ALBAWABA - At least six people were injured in an attack in Boulder, Colorado, local media reported. The attacker, according to the BBC, targeted a group that regularly marches for Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. The event was planned by "Run for Their Lives", an organisation that raises awareness for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. According to the FBI, a suspect threw an incendiary device into the group in Colorado and used a "makeshift flamethrower" to attack them. "The suspect was heard to yell 'Free Palestine' during the attack," a special agent in charge of the Denver field office of the FBI, Mark Michalek, confirmed. The terrorist who burned 6 Jewish-Americans including children and elderly in Boulder, Colorado, US shouting 'Palestine' in a possible terror attack today is an illegal muslim migrant - Mohamad Soliman — Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) June 2, 2025 Others said that the man also shouted 'end Zionists", and 'they are killers' while attacking the crowd. After the probe, the man was identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. Soliman was taken to the hospital following the attack, the FBI added. Who is Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Colorado attacker? According to local media, the attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who shouted 'free Palestine' while attacking a Colorado rally, is currently under investigation for a 'targeted act of terrorism'. Mohamed Sabry Soliman is reportedly an Egyptian national who entered the US in August 2022, through Los Angeles International Airport on a non-immigrant visa. A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed. — Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 2, 2025 He is allegedly overstaying his visa, according to federal officials, as cited by the Business Standard. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller posted on X, saying the man was a foreign national who "illegally overstayed (his) visa".
Al Bawaba
6 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Boursa Kuwait continues its efforts to increase ESG awareness and highlight its strategic long-term value creation
As part of its continued commitment to enhance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices in the Kuwaiti capital market raise awareness among its participants, Boursa Kuwait organized a workshop entitled 'ESG Reporting Readiness: From Compliance to Strategic Value' on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in collaboration with Clenergize Consultants, an Environmental and Sustainability consulting firm with a global presence spanning the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and the United States of workshop, led by Clenergize's Managing Director, Mr. Shyam Yadev, and Regional Business Development Manager, Ms. Haya Kalou, highlighted how sustainability reports can be leveraged as a strategic tool to drive growth and serve as a key factor in evaluating regulatory and financial risks. It emphasized the role of sustainability reporting in enhancing access to capital, achieving long-term sustainable growth, strengthening market reputation and improving long-term institutional performance to enable listed companies to keep pace with the evolving ESG and sustainability workshop also highlighted clear evidence linking ESG performance to enhanced shareholder value, improved credit ratings and increased corporate resilience, which was supported by case studies from several global companies. It also covered ESG-related financial instruments, such as sustainability-linked loans as well as bonds and sukuk and explored the incentives for adopting ESG practices. Additionally, the workshop highlighted the latest trends and best practices adopted in Kuwait and across the GCC and demonstrated the added value of ESG practices across various Kuwait's Head of Markets Ms. Noura Al-Abdulkareem hailed the workshop, saying, 'Boursa Kuwait reaffirms its commitment to supporting market participants in enhancing their ESG capabilities by keeping them informed of the latest global standards and evolving disclosure practices, aligned with regulatory frameworks. To that end, the exchange recently updated its rules and disclosure requirements to further enhance transparency and reporting practices.''Boursa Kuwait continues to promote the adoption of ESG principles in the Kuwaiti capital market, enabling listed companies to align their operations with global best practices and standards. In the past few years, the company has published a comprehensive ESG Disclosure Guide and has continued to organize specialized workshops in this field since 2020, recognizing the strategic importance of ESG and its positive impact on enhancing business models and creating long-term value, which in turn reinforces confidence in the market and contributes to expanding its investment opportunities,' she of sustainability reports will become mandatory for companies listed on Boursa Kuwait's 'Premier' Market starting in 2026, in line with the Capital Markets Authority circular number 4 issued earlier this year. As such, companies are required to prepare their 2025 sustainability reports and publish them on the Boursa Kuwait website no later than the second quarter of 2026. Additionally, the exchange has updated its rules and amended disclosure requirements to ensure compliance by listed companies, continuing its efforts to enhance transparency and disclosure standards across the market.'ESG is rapidly evolving from a regulatory obligation to a core business strategy as companies that proactively integrate ESG considerations into their operations are mitigating risks and strengthening stakeholder trust, unlocking access to new sources of capital through their enhanced transparency. This session aimed to demonstrate how ESG can be a driver of long-term value and competitive advantage across various sectors,' said Mr. Shyam Nadev, the Managing Director of added, "Boursa Kuwait's commitment to integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into their operations sets a powerful precedent for the region, as they have shown exemplary leadership in advancing sustainability within the financial sector. Their efforts help pave the way for a more resilient and transparent capital market that is ready for the future. I would like to thank the bourse for hosting this informative session and look forward to more collaborations going forward.'The initiative forms part of Boursa Kuwait's efforts to create a lasting meaningful impact on the community where it operates as part of its Corporate Sustainability strategy and ongoing efforts to equip all market participants with an in-depth understanding of the functioning of capital markets and various tools and techniques required to make informed investment decisions and effectively meet investors' needs. It is also in line with Goal 4 – Quality Education – and Goal 17 – Partnership for the Goals - of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Boursa Kuwait's Corporate Sustainability strategy stipulates ensuring initiatives apply and fall in line with the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR), industry best practice standards and investor expectations, creating strong and sustainable partnerships that ultimately achieve success and allow Boursa Kuwait to leverage the capabilities and strengths of other companies or organizations that have experience in different fields, and integrating sustainability efforts with the company culture, in order to achieve longevity and an ongoing impact that is carried on and instilled in the day-to-day operations of the stock exchange. As part of the strategy, Boursa Kuwait has launched many initiatives in partnership with local and international organizations, focusing on support for nongovernmental organizations and charity programs, financial literacy and capital market awareness, the empowerment of women, and environmental protection.
