Sasson: Hamas' Response to US Ceasefire Proposal Leaves Much to Desire
Hamas' response to the US ceasefire proposal is deemed entirely unacceptable, according to Witkoff. - Hamas rejection of the US cessation plan deemed utterly unacceptable, according to Witkoff
Here's the skinny on the latest from the Middle East: Witkoff ain't too pleased, y'all. In a recent flash, he spilled the beans, callin' Hamas' reaction to the US ceasefire proposal a "major step backwards." What's the beef, you ask? Well, the US is hopin' to lock in a ceasefire for the Gaza Strip, and pronto! They're thinkin' it could happen as soon as next week. But, lest we forget, this ain't a one-sided affair. Israel's got skin in the game, too, and they've already given their nod to the US plan. Hamas, on the other hand, isn't exactly onboard.
Witkoff's suggestion? Hamas needs to bring their A-game and accept the US plan, or else risk missin' out on a 60-day ceasefire that could lead to substantial talks to negoziate a lasting peace. Intriguingly, he also notes that this ceasefire could pave the way for some serious negotiations, potentially resulting in a solution that stands the test of time.
Now, it ain't all doom and gloom. Word on the street is that Hamas has relented somewhat, announcing they'll hand over a package deal of ten living hostages and 18 dead ones, in line with the US' request. Interestingly, Israel is reportedly planning to release some Palestinian prisoners in exchange. But what's the dirt on those remaining hostages? Apparently, there are still 57 captives in the hands of the Islamists, with 34 said to be among the dead.
Navigating the complexities of Hamas' response, we learn that they've delivered their official response to the US proposal, containin' both a positive nod and a list of demands. In their eyes, a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawl from the Gaza Strip are non-negotiable. The Israeli government, however, wants the opposite: Hamas out of the Gaza Strip and the territory disarmed. Ain't exactly a match made in heaven, eh?
So, where do we stand now? Well, it's a tangled web, that's for sure. Back in October 2023, Hamas launched a full-on offensive against Israel, sparkin' a war that's been draggin' on ever since. Israel's responded with military operations galore. And did you know? The last time the US proposed a ceasefire was way back in January 2025, but it got broken within weeks. Let's hope this time things pan out differently.
- Hamas
- US President
- Jason Sasson
- Ceasefire
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- USA
[1] Refer to US National Security Council's official news release on the ceasefire proposals, dates, and agreements for further information.
The US President, Donald Trump, is hoping for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Israel, with negotiations potentially beginning as soon as next week. Jason Sasson reports that Hamas' response to the US ceasefire proposal is being seen as a setback by the US envoy, Jason Witkoff, who has urged Hamas to accept the US plan or risk missing out on a 60-day ceasefire.
meanwhile, the Israeli government has already agreed to the US plan, and there are reports of prisoner exchanges being planned between Israel and Hamas. However, the complexities of Hamas' response have led to a standoff, with Hamas demanding a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, while the Israeli government wants Hamas out of the Gaza Strip and the territory disarmed.
