Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, criticized Hamas’s response to Washington’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable” and a step backward.
Hamas responded to the US ceasefire proposal by offering to release 10 live Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages in exchange for several Palestinian prisoners, while asking for some changes to the plan.
The group also reiterated its demands for a permanent truce, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and guaranteed ongoing humanitarian aid—none of which are included in the current deal. Their response was neither a clear acceptance nor an outright rejection of the US terms, which Washington says Israel has accepted.
Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, urged Hamas to accept the plan, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and the return of half the hostages—both living and deceased. He said indirect talks could begin as early as next week.
“This is the only way forward,” he wrote on social media.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel had accepted the updated outline, but Hamas “continues to adhere to its refusal.”
Trump earlier said a deal could be announced “within a day or less,” but differing responses from the parties involved continue to complicate the process.
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