Trump's representative, Witkoff, deems Hamas's proposal as entirely inappropriate
UNITED STATES MIDDLE EAST ENVOY DECLARES HAMAS' CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL "UNACCEPTABLE"
The US-backed ceasefire negotiations in the ongoing Gaza conflict have hit a snag, with both parties failing to reach a consensus. Hamas' latest proposal, aiming to modify Israeli withdrawal conditions and the prisoner exchange framework, has been met with skepticism by the U.S. and Israel.
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy, has deemed Hamas' proposal "unacceptable," expressing concern that it would constitute a step back in the path towards a ceasefire. Witkoff's statements were delivered on Saturday via an online service.
Hamas suddenly announced, at the US' request, the release of 10 living hostages and 18 corpses as part of the planned ceasefire agreement. In exchange, Israel is to free Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas' recent demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza has raised further complications, setting the stage for potential resistance from Israel.
The Israeli government, on the other hand, has consistently advocated for the removal of Hamas from the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Palestinian territories, demands that Hamas finds unacceptable. As a result, it appears that a lasting agreement may still be some distance away.
According to Israeli reports, a total of 57 hostages, 34 of whom are reportedly deceased, are currently being held by Islamist forces. The conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas launching a large-scale attack on Israel. Since then, Israel has been conducting extensive military operations in the Palestinian territory.
Sources: ntv.de, lve/AFP
- Gaza Conflict
- Hamas
- Israel
- Hostage-Takings
- Ceasefire Negotiations
- Palestinian Prisoners
- The United States, bolstered by its employment policies aimed at maintaining stability in war-and-conflicts zones, finds Hamas' latest ceasefire proposal unacceptable, as it perceives it as a hindrance to the general-news objective of achieving peace in the Gaza conflict.
- In the midst of the ongoing Gaza conflict, politics complicate the situation as each party – Israel and Hamas – has its own employment policy regarding the future of the Palestinian territories, with the Israeli government refusing to consider Hamas' demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
