Hostage agreement under threat as Hamas imposes additional conditions; US ambassador labels stipulations "unreasonable"
Hamas Responds to US-Backed Ceasefire Proposal: Hostages to be Released, Conditions Unmet
Ret. Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard gives his take on Hamas' response to the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal in a live interview on our website.
After a round of consultations, Hamas announced their response to the U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal for a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal from Gaza, and humanitarian aid flow. However, the terms of the deal have been deemed unacceptable by both the U.S. and Israel.
In a statement on Saturday, Hamas stated that they would release ten living hostages and the remains of eighteen more, under the condition that a number of Palestinian prisoners be returned as part of the deal. This response comes with additional demands from Hamas, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unrestricted humanitarian aid flow into the strip.
Witkoff's proposal did not include a full withdrawal or a ceasefire, according to the Jerusalem Post, and Hamas has added their own terms. Witkoff called Hamas' response to the American proposal "totally unacceptable" and warned it "only takes us backward." He urged the group to accept the original framework to begin proximity talks as early as next week, which could lead to a 60-day ceasefire and the return of both living and deceased hostages.
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Before Witkoff's response, Hamas wrote: "The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) today submitted its response to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's latest proposal to the mediating parties. This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip."
Reacting to the announcement, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that while Israel had agreed to the updated Witkoff framework, "Hamas continues to cling to its refusal." Israel remains committed to bringing its hostages home and defeating Hamas, citing Witkoff's remarks as confirmation that Hamas' latest stance undermines progress.
Hamas is currently holding 58 hostages in Gaza, with Israeli intelligence assessing that at least 34 are deceased, leaving approximately 24 believed to be alive.
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The Associated Press reported on Friday that the latest proposal being negotiated involves the release of ten living hostages and the remains of a number of others during a 60-day pause in exchange for more than 1,100 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, including 100 serving long sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks. The United States has not publicized the terms of the proposal. Witkoff's office reiterated on social media that the proposed deal could allow "half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased" to return to their families if Hamas agrees to enter talks under the current terms.
Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March. Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force, and return all hostages still held in Gaza before it agrees to end the war. Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war.
- The opinion of some individuals may find Hamas' conditions for releasing hostages in the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal to be a stumbling block in politics, as they expect Hamas to compromise more in war-and-conflicts situations.
- In the general news, it's worth noting that Hamas' response to the U.S. Special Envoy's ceasefire proposal includes demands beyond the original framework, potentially complicating politics and prolonging war-and-conflicts.
