Hamas Seeks Amendments To Gaza Ceasefire Proposal But U.S. Envoy Calls It ‘Unacceptable’

In Tel Aviv, Israel, a Hamas official informed the Associated Press on Saturday that the group is seeking changes to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza. However, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff deemed Hamas’ response as “totally unacceptable.”

The negotiation tensions arise as the conflict in Gaza approaches 20 months, causing distress among hungry Palestinians and relatives of hostages. The proposed amendments by Hamas focus on U.S. guarantees, the timing of hostage release, aid delivery, and Israeli forces’ withdrawal, without specific details.

A separate Hamas statement outlined the proposal’s goals of a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli retreat from Gaza, and continuous aid flow. It mentioned the release of 10 living hostages and 18 deceased individuals in exchange for a specified number of Palestinian prisoners. Israel believes 35 hostages are deceased out of 58 remaining individuals.

Witkoff described on social media a 60-day ceasefire deal freeing half the living hostages in Gaza and repatriating half of the deceased. He urged Hamas to accept this framework for talks to commence next week.

The U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire has received Israeli approval, with negotiations nearing completion, according to President Donald Trump’s statement.

Desperation is escalating within Gaza, with Palestinians intercepting and unloading 77 food trucks, per the U.N. World Food Program. The blockade imposed by Israel has exacerbated hunger in the region, with civilians seizing aid before reaching the intended destinations.

The fear of starvation is significant in Gaza, prompting the WFP to emphasize the urgent need to distribute food to quell anxieties. Amid security challenges, the U.N. faces difficulties in providing aid due to ongoing conflicts.

In response, a new foundation backed by the U.S. and Israel, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was launched to distribute food in the region. The GHF aims to replace existing aid operations and has faced accusations of militarizing aid distribution.

Israeli military operations persist in Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties, including airstrikes killing at least 60 people within 24 hours. The conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel in 2023, leading to significant civilian casualties on both sides.

Hostages’ relatives continue to advocate for a comprehensive ceasefire to secure the release of all captives, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza.