Hamas Requests Changes Of US-Backed Ceasefire Proposal

Hamas responded to a US-brokered ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, asking to amend it, prompting a sharp rejection from US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, as Israeli strikes continued across the enclave, Reuters reported. 

Last week, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff unveiled a proposal that would institute a 60-day truce between Hamas and Israel, release 28 of the 58 remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners, and increase humanitarian aid entering the enclave.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to the plan in principle, while Hamas initially said they would study the draft. 

Top Hamas official Bassem Naim claimed that it “does not respond to any of our people’s demands, foremost among which is stopping the war and famine,” Euronews wrote. 

On Saturday, Hamas announced that while it supports the framework in general, it requested a series of changes: These include giving Gazan residents unrestricted travel through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, the restoration of water, electricity, and sanitation infrastructure, and permission to import materials to rebuild hospitals, schools, and bakeries. 

The group also called for the United Nations, Red Crescent and other aid groups to deliver food and supplies under the proposed truce. Another key – and contentious – point was the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza – a demand that Israel has repeatedly rejected. 

Witkoff described the Hamas position as “totally unacceptable” and said it undermines talks that could begin in the coming days. 

Naim countered that the US position reflects “complete bias” toward Israel and questioned why only Israel’s response is treated as negotiable. Even so, he denied any rejection of the US proposal. 

Amid the ongoing disputes, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is continuing to deteriorate, UN officials said.  

On Saturday, the World Food Programme said 77 aid trucks were looted by desperate civilians, CBS News added. 

The UN warned earlier this month that Gaza is the “hungriest place on Earth,” and that “only consistent, large-scale aid can rebuild trust.” Aid efforts remain stymied by Israeli restrictions, insecurity, and looting. 

Meanwhile, the newly formed US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is facing resistance from the relief groups that operate in the enclave over neutrality concerns. 

Also over the weekend, Arab foreign ministers condemned Israel’s decision to block their planned visit to the West Bank.  

The officials had planned to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah in a show of support amid the Gaza conflict, the Times of Israel reported.