Hamas seeks changes in Gaza truce plan, Witkoff rejects response

By
EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
59

CAIRO. Hamas announced on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a U.S.-backed proposal for a temporary Gaza ceasefire, but U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed the group’s response as “totally unacceptable.” Hamas said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Still, it reiterated demands for a permanent end to the war and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, conditions Israel has consistently rejected.

While Hamas described its response as “positive,” it did not specify what changes it wants to the plan, which calls for a 60-day truce and the exchange of 28 Israeli hostages for over 1,200 Palestinian prisoners. Israel, meanwhile, has agreed to the framework, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel’s military confirmed it had killed Mohammad Sinwar, Hamas’ Gaza chief, on May 13, and said it would continue operations in Gaza. The military campaign has driven Gaza’s population into increasingly crowded areas, with the U.N. warning of famine risk despite resumed aid deliveries.

Hamas denies looting aid and says it has executed suspected looters, while Israel says Hamas steals supplies for its own use. Aid agencies report that dozens of WFP trucks carrying flour were hijacked and looted in Gaza on Saturday.

President Donald Trump has stated that he believes a ceasefire agreement is imminent, with his envoy urging Hamas to accept the framework proposal and initiate proximity talks this coming week.

Author profile

Edgaroo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.

Related entries

We appreciate your thoughts. Please leave a comment.