Hamas is seeking to amend a recent US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, a senior Hamas official said, but US special envoy Steve Witkoff described the response as “totally unacceptable”.
A Hamas spokesman said the proposed changes concern “guarantees from the United States, the timing of the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.” Details were not disclosed.
In a separate statement, Hamas said the initiative was aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a guaranteed flow of aid.
The statement said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released “in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.”
There are currently 58 hostages remaining, with Israel believing 35 of them are dead.
Mr. Witkoff described a 60-day ceasefire agreement that would allow for the release of half of the living hostages in Gaza and the return of half of the dead.
He called on Hamas to consider the framework proposal as a basis for talks, which he said could begin next week.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim accused Israel of not agreeing to the agreed points and of being “totally biased towards the other side,” which he said violated the fairness of the mediation.
Israeli officials have welcomed a US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month conflict.
US President Donald Trump said negotiators were close to finalizing an agreement.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
