Amid ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Thursday categorically rejected Hamas’ latest proposal, calling it “totally unacceptable” and a setback to the ongoing mediation efforts.
“Hamas’ response only takes us backward,” Witkoff wrote in a post on X. “They should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week.”
Hamas’ Latest Proposal:
As reported by CNN, Hamas conveyed its revised stance through mediators Qatar and Egypt, demanding:
- A permanent ceasefire
- Complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip
- Uninterrupted humanitarian aid
- Release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies, in exchange for a to-be-agreed number of Palestinian prisoners
The US-Backed Proposal:
The US and Israel-backed deal outlines:
- A 60-day ceasefire
- Release of 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages
- In return, 125 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and 1,111 Gazans detained since the start of the war would be freed
- Immediate launch of proximity talks to explore a permanent ceasefire
- No guarantees of war’s end or extension of the ceasefire
Witkoff: Opportunity to End Hostilities
Steve Witkoff emphasized that accepting the US proposal is the only viable way forward:
“That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days… and hold proximity talks in good faith to reach a permanent ceasefire,” he stated.
Tensions High, Stakes Higher
The stark rejection from the US signals deepening frustration in Washington over Hamas’ perceived intransigence. Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly agreed to the terms of the US-backed framework, intensifying pressure on Hamas to concede or risk further escalation.
Next Steps
With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening, and diplomatic windows narrowing, proximity talks—where intermediaries shuttle between parties—may offer a fragile path to calm, but the deadlock over conditions continues to stall progress.
As the international community watches closely, the fate of dozens of hostages and the broader Middle East peace hinges on whether parties can bridge the ever-widening diplomatic divide.