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U.S. ceasefire proposal met with assertive counterproposals by Hamas

Hamas Officially Responds to Ceasefire Proposal by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Requesting Permanent Halt in Hostilities

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Hamas has officially replied to the ceasefire initiative by U.S. representative Steve Witkoff,...
Hamas has officially replied to the ceasefire initiative by U.S. representative Steve Witkoff, demanding a long-term halt in hostilities

U.S. ceasefire proposal met with assertive counterproposals by Hamas

Taking a Closer Look at Hamas' Ceasefire Proposal

Published May 31st, 2025 - 08:07 GMT \Facebook | Twitter | WhatsApp | Share

Palestinian militants make the somber journey, carrying the coffins of four Israeli hostages, given to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis, Gaza. After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, this is the first time they've returned remains since the start of the conflict [1][4]. The Gaza war has been a long and costly one, with heavy losses on both sides and no sign of an end in sight. Recently, though, there's been a glimmer of hope as Hamas formally presented a response to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's ceasefire proposal.

Hamas's response outlines a detailed plan for a 60-day truce period to negotiate a permanent solution. Here's a rundown of the main demands and terms [1][3][4]:

  1. Hostage Releases: Hamas has agreed to release 10 living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 more across multiple phases during the ceasefire. The initial phase includes a release of four Israeli captives on the first day, followed by more releases on the 30th and 60th days. Similarly, six Israeli hostage remains will be returned in three installments on days 10, 30, and 50 [1][3].
  2. Withdrawal of Israeli Forces: Hamas demands Israel's military withdrawal to positions they held before March 2, 2025, during the truce. Plus, military and surveillance flights over Gaza will be banned for a minimum of 10 hours daily, extending to 12 hours on days involving prisoner exchanges [1][3].
  3. Humanitarian Aid: Hamas is adamant that humanitarian aid, including the restoration of essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, sanitation, and telecommunications, should be accessible immediately upon the agreement's activation [3]. This also means the reopening of hospitals, schools, and bakeries, unrestricted travel at Rafah crossing, and resumed commercial movement [3].
  4. Negotiations for a Permanent Ceasefire: Negotiations for a definitive ceasefire and final prisoner swaps begin on the first day of the truce. Hamas proposes that a neutral technocratic committee takes over governance of Gaza during this transition period [1][3].
  5. Lasting Resolution: The agreement will be overseen and guaranteed by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will lead negotiations on the ground, while President Trump is set to officially announce the agreement when reached, emphasizing the U.S.'s commitment to reaching a lasting resolution [1].
  6. Full Disclosure: Hamas has pledged to provide details on all remaining Israeli hostages within 10 days of the agreement and demands reciprocal disclosure from Israel regarding Palestinian prisoners [3].

Despite these significant efforts, the main challenge remains getting concrete guarantees from U.S. officials for a permanent ceasefire, as Hamas insists this must be the outcome [1][3].

News writer Osama Ali has a knack for delivering well-researched and informative articles. His expertise lies in providing accurate news pieces that are easy to understand [5]. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops.

Sources:

[1] BBC, 2025, Hamas response to ceasefire proposal

[2] Al Jazeera, 2025, Hamas calls for permanent Gaza ceasefire

[3] CNN, 2025, The U.S. and Hamas work towards a truce

[4] Reuters, 2025, Hamas hands over bodies of four Israeli hostages

[5] Al Bawaba, 2025, About Osama Ali

  1. The health of the region depends on the success of Hamas' ceasefire proposal, which could potentially end the ongoing war and conflicts in Gaza.
  2. While the proposal offers some promising terms, such as humanitarian aid and negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, it remains unclear if politics will allow for a lasting resolution.
  3. The business community is closely watching the developments, eager to see if improved general-news will lead to resumed travel and commercial movement.
  4. Entertainment industries may also benefit from a peaceful resolution, as tourism and cultural exchange can boost both economies.
  5. Historically, similar ceasefire agreements have been tenuous, with violations leading to renewed hostilities. Only time will tell if Hamas' latest proposal will break this pattern and pave the way for a more hopeful future for all parties involved.

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