US envoy slams Hamas for rejecting hostage deal proposal
The US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, criticized Hamas for its response to a hostage exchange proposal. Hamas's rejection of the American offer has made negotiations more challenging, according to Witkoff.
What do you need to know?
- What happened? Hamas turned down the United States' proposal regarding an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
- Where and when? Hamas's response was announced on platform X on Saturday, though Israel had already accepted the US proposal.
- Why is it important? Hamas's rejection of the proposal complicates the negotiation process and could influence future actions in the Gaza Strip.
What are the details of the US proposal?
Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy to the Middle East, voiced his disapproval of Hamas's reaction to the American hostage exchange proposal. He stated on platform X, "Hamas response is totally unacceptable."
The US proposal included a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 deceased individuals in exchange for the release of 125 Palestinians and the return of 180 Palestinian bodies.
Why did Hamas reject the proposal?
In a statement, Hamas declared that the US proposal does not meet "does not meet our people's demands."
Hamas wrote that under this agreement,10 living prisoners of the occupier, held by the resistance, would be released, and additionally, 18 bodies would be handed over, in exchange for the agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
Although Israel accepted the proposal, Hamas's rejection, according to Witkoff, is a setback for the negotiation process.
Israeli media have reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip based on the US proposal. Witkoff's plan suggests that during the truce, there would be negotiations on a permanent end to the conflict, with the possibility of Israel resuming military actions if talks collapse.
