Hamas says Gaza truce proposal falls short of its demands
A Hamas official said Thursday that a new 'Israeli'-approved US plan for a truce in Gaza fell short of its demands, but that it was still studying the proposal.
Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said 'Israel's' response meant "the continuation of killing and famine... and does not meet any of our people's demands, foremost among them halting the war and famine.'
'Nonetheless, the movement's leadership is studying the response to the proposal with full national responsibility,' Naim said.
Earlier today, Hamas said that it received a new Gaza truce proposal from US Envoy Steve Witkoff, while "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they accept the proposal, according to Hebrew Channel 12.
In a statement on its official Telegram channel, Hamas said it will study the proposal with 'the aim of serving the interests of the Palestinian people, facilitating humanitarian relief, and achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.'
Netanyahu told the families of 'Israeli' captives held in Gaza that they accepted US Envoy's Steve Witkoff's outlines for a Gaza truce.
Hamas isn't happy with the new proposal as it doesn't include a clear guarantee by the United States that it will lead to a permanent ceasefire – a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations told Axios.
Hamas has not given a negative response to the proposal, but has expressed disappointment, and a senior 'Israeli' official says the assessment of 'Israeli' intelligence services that Hamas is going to reject it – the report adds.
According to Hebrew media, the proposal includes Hamas releasing 10 living 'Israeli' captives and the bodies of 18, in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of over a 1,000 Palestinian political prisoners.
The UN would also resume providing aid to Gaza, replacing the new 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' which made its first aid deliveries this week.
An 'Israel' official cited by 'The Times of Israel' said the proposed agreement does not include a promise to end the war, and will reserve the "right of Israel to return to combat".
One half of the captives will be released on the first day of the truce, and the other on the 7th day.
In return, 'Israel' will release 125 Palestinian political prisoners serving life sentences, and 1,111 Gazans arrested since Oct. 7, 2023, in addition to bodies of 180 Palestinians currently detained by 'Israel' – according to reports in Arab media.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Roya News
Barcelona ends 'friendship agreement' with Tel Aviv over Gaza aggression
Barcelona City Council voted Friday to sever institutional ties with the 'Israeli' government and suspend its friendship agreement with Tel Aviv, citing violations of international law and the need to uphold the basic rights of the Palestinian people. The motion, which includes nearly 20 provisions, was backed by the ruling Socialist party in the city as well as various leftist and pro-independence parties. It calls for ending institutional relations with 'the current Israeli government' and suspending the friendship pact signed on Sept. 24, 1998, between the Catalan capital and Tel Aviv. Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni said the "level of suffering and death witnessed in Gaza over the past year and a half, along with the repeated attacks carried out by the Israeli government in recent weeks... make any relationship between the two cities unsustainable." Among other measures in the resolution — some of which fall outside the council's direct authority — the City Council urged the board of the Barcelona Trade Fair not to host 'Israeli' government pavilions or 'arms companies or any other sector that profits from genocide, occupation, apartheid, and colonialism against the Palestinian people.' A similar recommendation is also under consideration for the Port of Barcelona, which could involve denying entry to ships linked to weapons transfers to 'Israel'. This is not the first time Barcelona has cut ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. In February 2023, then-Mayor Ada Colau announced the suspension of relations with 'Israel' and paused the city's twinning agreements with Tel Aviv. That decision was later reversed after Jaume Collboni won the municipal elections. Spain's Socialist-led government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 28, 2024, along with Ireland and Norway.
Roya News
8 hours ago
- Roya News
Saudi FM to make rare visit to West Bank
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will travel to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, marking the first visit by a top Saudi diplomat to the territory since 'Israel' captured it in 1967, a source at the Palestinian embassy in Riyadh told AFP on Friday. "A ministerial delegation led by the foreign minister will head to Ramallah on Sunday," the source said. The visit comes amid heightened tensions, as 'Israel' has vowed to establish a "Jewish Israeli state" in the West Bank and has ramped up plans to expand settlements in the territory, drawing international criticism. Saudi Arabia previously sent a lower-level delegation to Ramallah in September 2023—its first official visit to the Palestinian seat of government since 1967.
Roya News
11 hours ago
- Roya News
Iran comments on reports of nuclear deal with US
Iran's Tasnim News Agency denied on Friday recent media reports claiming an interim nuclear deal had been reached between Tehran and Washington, stating that no such proposal exists from either side. Tasnim, which is affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also reported that there is currently no agreement on the date or location for a potential new round of nuclear negotiations, amid a continued deadlock between the two countries. The statement comes as speculation has grown in recent weeks about a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, following months of indirect communications and public statements by both sides. US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters, said that the US is 'doing very well' in its handling of both the Iran file and the Gaza crisis. He emphasized the importance of all parties in Gaza agreeing to the peace proposal presented by his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a step toward de-escalation. Trump also revealed that he had issued clear warnings to 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against any military action targeting Iran. 'I told Netanyahu that any move against Iran is not appropriate at this time,' Trump said. He added that the US is currently engaged in 'very good' talks with Tehran, suggesting that Iran appears open to reaching an agreement. Trump expressed optimism, stating: 'We are very close to reaching a deal with Iran. I told Netanyahu that any escalation would ruin these efforts.'
