U.S. Envoy Calls Hamas' Response to Ceasefire Proposal 'Totally Unacceptable'

What Happened?

A new White House proposed ceasefire in Gaza is now facing pushback from the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Over the weekend, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas' latest response 'totally unacceptable' after Israel welcomed the proposal.

In a statement on social platform X, Witkoff claimed Hamas' response only 'takes us backward' and that the group should accept the proposed framework as a basis for proximity talks.

'That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families,' Witkoff said.

Hamas’ response to Witkoff’s proposal reportedly included the initial release of 10 Israeli hostages, along with 18 bodies, as well as permission for immediate humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza through groups like the United Nations.

In addition, a full withdrawal of the Israeli military, after which the remaining Israeli hostages and bodies would be released.

Hamas, in return, sought that Israel would release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and a 'temporary independent authority' would be granted to manage Gaza, according to NBC News.

A senior Hamas official reportedly wrote in a WhatsApp post that the group had not rejected the latest U.S.-led proposal.

Bassem Naim stated that Hamas had come to an agreement on a possible ceasefire proposal with Witkoff.

But claimed Israel's response had differed from that agreement, which raised concern.

'Why, each time, is the Israeli response considered the only response for negotiation?' Naim wrote.

Why it Matters

President Donald Trump expressed optimism last week that Israel and Hamas were close to making a deal, with Iran included, to end the war in Gaza.

'If we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East, that would be a very good thing,' Trump said.

Despite failing to meet key Hamas demands, Israel signed off on the latest U.S. proposed ceasefire to secure the release of more Israeli hostages.

According to reports, the proposal included the release of 10 living hostages from Gaza and the bodies of 18 more in return for a 60-day ceasefire.

The hostages would reportedly be released within the first week in exchange for 1,236 living Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 more.

Humanitarian aid would also be distributed with the involvement of the United Nations, among other details.

However, Hamas officials reportedly pointed out that certain elements were not included which caught them by surprise.

Those details were not limited to Israel's commitment to withdraw forces from Gaza, aid entry guarantees, and what would happen after the 60-day truce.

Israeli forces reportedly opened fire in the Gaza Strip on Monday as people headed toward an aid distribution site a kilometer away.

At least three people were killed, and dozens of others were wounded.

IDF claimed it was firing warning shots at 'suspects' who approached its forces.

It comes after dozens of people were killed and over 170 were wounded Sunday in a previous attack in the strip near a food aid distribution center.

The Israeli military released drone footage accusing Hamas of spreading ‘rumors’ and trying to ‘violently’ stop Palestinians from reaching aid sites in Gaza.

How it Affects You

Potential changes to the current ceasefire proposed draft have created another standstill between Israel and Hamas.

It's during a time that Israeli officials have been accused of approaching a 'red line.'

Those warnings follow recent criticism against ‘ethnic cleansing’ as Israel still aims to permanently displace millions of Gazans.

Israel has also been accused of continuing to block humanitarian aid as more countries like the U.K. are preparing to take 'concrete actions.'

Despite being allies with Israel, the Trump administration is not too far behind.

The U.S. could soon leverage its new business growth in the Middle East to get a deal done.