Latest news with #Naim
NBC News
8 hours ago
- Health
- NBC News
Hamas says it's reviewing a U.S. ceasefire deal backed by Israel
Naim said Hamas had received an official response from the Israeli side to the proposal, but said it failed to 'to meet any of the just and legitimate demands of our people,' including an immediate cessation of hostilities. But he said Hamas was still considering the ceasefire proposal. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict. Since then, more than 54,000 people, including thousands of children, have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the enclave, which has been run by Hamas since 2007. Meanwhile, aid groups have warned of a dire humanitarian situation in the enclave due to Israel's offensive and 11-week-long blockade that barred the entry of food and medicine before it was lifted last week. President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling it a "nasty situation," adding that 'Oct. 7 was a very nasty day, the worst that I think I've ever seen.' He told reporters the U.S. was getting food to Palestinian civilians, with a new system for aid distribution launched over the past week, led by the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. GHF began operations this week days after Israel lifted its blockade, despite criticism from humanitarian groups who warned that its operations undermined a long-running humanitarian framework in Gaza and risked compromising the independence of aid operations. They also expressed significant concern over a plan laid out by Netanyahu to see aid distributed at sites in southern Gaza, effectively forcibly displacing Palestinians there. In an update Friday, however, GHF said it planned to build additional sites across Gaza, including in the northern region, 'in the weeks ahead.' The organization said it had so far distributed more than 2.1 million meals to Palestinians in the span of four days.
United News of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Hamas says consulting with Palestinian factions on Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S.
Gaza, May 31 (UNI) Hamas said on Friday that it is consulting with Palestinian forces and factions regarding the Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. A source from the movement, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the consultations aim to examine the details of the proposal and ensure its compatibility with Palestinian interests ahead of determining a final position. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that his government accepts Witkoff's proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported. Quoting a senior Israeli official, Kan reported that the proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in two phases. Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, along with the bodies of 180 Palestinians. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said Thursday in a statement that the movement had received the Israeli response to the U.S. proposal. According to Naim, the Israeli position fails to address key Palestinian demands, including a complete cessation of hostilities and the lifting of the long-standing blockade on Gaza. He said the proposal would allow for the continuation of "the occupation" and humanitarian suffering, even during any temporary truce. "Nevertheless, the movement's leadership is evaluating the proposal with a sense of national responsibility, particularly in light of the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people," Naim said. UNI XINHUA ARN
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Hamas Criticizes Israeli Response to U.S.-Backed Ceasefire Proposal, Reviews Offer
A senior Hamas official has criticized Israel's stance on a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States, even as the group reviews the terms of the plan aimed at pausing the nearly 20-month-long conflict. Basem Naim, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau and spokesperson, confirmed in a statement shared with Newsweek that the group had received the latest proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has responded to the framework—a response acknowledged by the White House on Thursday. However, Naim argued that Israel's reply does not move the situation toward peace. "Upon careful examination, it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation and perpetuate policies of killing and starvation, even during what is supposed to be a period of temporary de-escalation," said Naim. He added that the proposal fails to meet Hamas' core demands, including a complete cessation of hostilities and immediate relief for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Nevertheless, Naim stated that Hamas is seriously evaluating the proposal. "Despite this, and in full awareness of the gravity of the ongoing genocide against our people, Hamas leadership is currently undertaking a thorough and responsible review of the new proposal," he said, emphasizing the group's commitment to the rights and future of the Palestinian people. Following Naim's remarks, Hamas released a separate statement saying it is currently consulting with Palestinian factions and stakeholders regarding the offer conveyed via mediators.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Hamas Rejects Israel's Response to US Ceasefire Plan in Gaza
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A senior Hamas official has criticized Israel's response to a new ceasefire proposal issued by the United States as the group mulls the latest attempt to bring a temporary halt to the nearly 20-month war. In a statement shared with Newsweek, Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim confirmed that the group has received the latest framework proposed last week by U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the proposal, a development confirmed by the White House on Thursday. However, Naim argued that the Israeli response served to perpetuate, rather than resolve, the conflict. "Upon careful examination, it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation and perpetuate policies of killing and starvation, even during what is supposed to be a period of temporary de-escalation," Naim said. "The response fails to meet any of the just and legitimate demands of our people," he added, "among them an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza." Still, he said, the group was seriously considering the deal. "Despite this, and in full awareness of the gravity of the ongoing genocide against our people, Hamas leadership is currently undertaking a thorough and responsible review of the new proposal," Naim said. "This evaluation is guided by a deep sense of national responsibility and a steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and the future of Palestinian people on his land," he added. A picture taken from Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows destruction from Israeli bombardment in the Palestinian territory on May 29, 2025 A picture taken from Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows destruction from Israeli bombardment in the Palestinian territory on May 29, 2025 Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images What's on the Table The proposal, a copy of which was obtained by Newsweek, is the latest attempt to pause the fighting in what has emerged as the deadliest-ever episode of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The war was sparked by an October 2023 attack led by Hamas against Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 251. Over 50,000 people have died in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials, amid Israel's subsequent military campaign. Today, around 58 people, fewer than half of whom are believed to still be alive, remain captive in Gaza. The U.S. proposal entails a 60-day ceasefire, during which Trump would guarantee Israel's commitment to not launching hostilities. Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and 19 deceased hostages in two transfers divided between the first and seventh day of the agreement, while Israel would release 1,236 individuals held in Israeli prisons and 180 bodies. On the 10th day of the ceasefire, both sides would provide up-to-date information on the condition of those being held by the respective sides. Israel would also halt military and aerial reconnaissance activity over Gaza for 10 hours each day, and up to 12 hours on the days on the days in which hostages and prisoners were exchanged. Israeli troops would conduct a redeployment in the Netzarim Corridor and northern Gaza, and the flow of humanitarian assistance from the United Nations and Red Crescent would resume through mutually agreed channels. The agreement also calls for the immediate launch of follow-up negotiations toward securing a permanent ceasefire as well as the release of all remaining hostages, living and dead. The deal also allows for an extension of the temporary ceasefire if a new agreement is not reached within 60 days.
Roya News
a day ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Hamas receives 'Israeli' response to US truce proposal
Hamas has received the 'Israeli' response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza and is reviewing it carefully, but the group says it falls far short of Palestinian demands, senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters on Friday, May 30, 2025. 'The response does not meet any of the just and legitimate demands of the Palestinian people,' Naim said, emphasizing the group's dissatisfaction. According to Reuters, the American proposal outlines a 60-day ceasefire. During the first week, it calls for the release of 28 'Israeli' captives—both living and deceased—in exchange for 125 Palestinian political prisoners serving life sentences and the handover of the remains of 180 Palestinians. The plan, which the White House says is guaranteed by US President Donald Trump and mediators from Egypt and Qatar, also includes immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza upon Hamas signing the agreement. The deal obligates Hamas to release the final 30 'Israeli' captives once a permanent ceasefire is reached. On Thursday, the White House confirmed that Israeli Occupation had officially accepted the American proposal. However, in further comments to CNN, a senior Hamas official revealed that the group had previously submitted a detailed counterproposal via Palestinian-American envoy Bashara Bahbah to Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. Hamas was reportedly 'shocked' by the US response, describing it as an 'Israeli document,' according to the official. Hamas's original counterproposal included three key demands: The release of all 'Israeli' captives. A 60-day ceasefire with American guarantees for continued negotiations leading to a permanent truce. The delivery of humanitarian aid through United Nations channels, and a withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from areas occupied after March 2, 2025. Sources told CNN that these points were indeed communicated during discussions with Bahbah and shared with Witkoff. However, Hamas was surprised to find that none of its core demands were reflected in the latest proposal, reinforcing their belief that the document was shaped primarily by 'Israeli' interests.
