Washington: A fresh attempt at brokering peace in Gaza hit turbulence on Saturday, May 31, as Hamas responded to a US-backed ceasefire proposal with a revised version that drew immediate criticism from American officials. US envoy Steve Witkoff rejected Hamas's response outright, calling it “totally unacceptable” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The US proposal, accepted earlier by Israel, outlines a 60-day truce, the release of half the living and deceased Israeli hostages, and the resumption of UN-led humanitarian aid operations in Gaza. Talks had stalled for weeks after the previous ceasefire collapsed in March, with both sides holding firm on non-negotiable terms.
Hamas Seeks Permanent Ceasefire and Full Israeli Withdrawal
In its formal reply, Hamas stopped short of rejecting the US plan outright but called for key amendments, including a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and uninterrupted humanitarian access.
Hamas said it would release 10 living Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18, in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian detainees. A statement from the group framed the changes as “aimed 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 Strip.”
According to the Associated Press, Hamas is pushing for adjustments to the timeline of hostage exchanges and aid delivery, though no definitive position was given on whether the core proposal was accepted.
US Dismisses Amendments, Israel Eyes Opportunity
Envoy Witkoff urged Hamas to accept the plan as it stands, noting that “further talks on a truce can begin immediately this coming week.”
Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Israel Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of the security cabinet, said, “I assess that time is not on the side of Hamas, and therefore that it will ultimately agree to the Witkoff proposal.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns are escalating in the region. Aid groups report that more than 2 million Gazans remain at risk of famine, despite limited food deliveries resuming this week under a Swiss-led initiative.
