Hamas is seeking amendments to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, a senior official with the group told on Saturday. However, US envoy Steve Witkoff called the Hamas response “totally unacceptable”, reports AP
The Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, said proposed amendments focused on “the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.” There were no details released.
A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released “in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.” Fifty-eight hostages remain and Israel believes 35 are dead.
Though the details of the proposed ceasefire deal have not been released, the US demands a 60-day pause in fighting, the release of 28 Israeli hostages – alive and dead – in the first week, and the release of 30 more once a permanent ceasefire is in place, the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 dead Palestinians, and sending Gaza aid via the UN or other agencies.
The US proposal for a temporary ceasefire was approved by Israeli officials before being presented to Hamas, prompting Bassem Naim, a top Hamas official, to accuse Israel of disagreeing with agreed-upon provisions and alleged a “complete bias toward the other side” that he said violates the fairness of mediation.