United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff delivered a blistering rejection of Hamas's ceasefire counter-proposal on Saturday, branding the terror group's response "totally unacceptable" and declaring it "only takes us backward."
Witkoff's sharp condemnation followed Hamas's dismissal of the Trump administration's Gaza ceasefire framework, with the Palestinian terror organization instead presenting demands for a permanent end to hostilities and Israel's complete evacuation from the coastal enclave. The American envoy urged Hamas to embrace the original proposal, stating: "Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week."
Hamas issued its counter-response after receiving the US-brokered framework that Witkoff transmitted to the organization on Thursday. The terror group's brief statement outlined its position calling for a lasting ceasefire and "a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip" while seeking assurances regarding humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza.
The Hamas alternative encompasses a prisoner exchange arrangement involving 10 living Israeli hostages alongside 18 bodies in return for an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees. Specific details concerning Hamas' counter-framework remained unavailable immediately after the organization's announcement.
Israeli leadership aligned with Witkoff's criticism, as the Prime Minister's Office condemned Hamas for its "intransigence" while reaffirming Israel's commitment to securing hostage releases and eliminating Hamas. The original proposal that sparked Hamas' counter-response had received Israeli approval and featured comparable prisoner exchange terms alongside a 60-day cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
President Donald Trump expressed optimism on Friday regarding ceasefire prospects, indicating Israel and Hamas were "very close" to reaching an agreement while promising imminent developments, The Washington Post noted. However, a Hamas representative, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of ongoing discussions, informed The Washington Post that same day that the organization planned to propose "amendments" to the Israeli-American framework to secure war-ending guarantees.
The fundamental divide centers on Hamas's persistent demand for a permanent conflict resolution and complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza – conditions that Israeli officials have historically found unacceptable as they seek to preserve operational flexibility. Hamas has consistently advocated for these terms throughout previous negotiation rounds.
Israel delivered another significant blow to the weakened terror organization on Saturday, with the Israel Defense Forces announcing the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar in an earlier operation this month. Israeli intelligence identified Sinwar, brother of eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as the newest commanding officer of Hamas's military apparatus.
Simultaneously, COGAT, the Israeli Defense Ministry coordination unit overseeing Gaza aid operations, reported that 579 trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies including food provisions, medical equipment and flour entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Saturday. Israel had imposed substantial restrictions on aid deliveries after the previous ceasefire collapsed in March, drawing criticism from major Western allies before gradually easing limitations in late May under international pressure.
