Hamas submits response to US-backed ceasefire proposal
Hamas has submitted its formal response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal via Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, announced today that it has submitted its formal response to the latest proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The response was delivered to Egyptian and Qatari mediators, who have been facilitating ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the war on the Gaza Strip.
In an official statement, Hamas said the response came after a round of consultations and reflects the movement’s responsibility toward the Palestinian people and their ongoing suffering.
In its response, Hamas highlighted its three key demands:
- Permanent ceasefire,
- Complete withdrawal of Israeli forces,
- Uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid
“We have delivered our response aiming for a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to our people in the Strip,” the statement read.
The proposal is part of ongoing international efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire following months of renewed aggression after “Israel” reneged on the original agreement, with mediators continuing to engage both sides in search of a comprehensive agreement.
As part of the proposed terms, Hamas has agreed to release ten living Israeli captives and hand over the bodies of eighteen others. In return, the Israeli occupation would release an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas says it received proposal
This comes after the Palestinian group’s official, Basem Naim, announced on Friday that it received the Israeli response to an American proposal and is thoroughly reviewing it.
Naim told Reuters that although “Israel’s” response fails to meet any of the Palestinian “just and legitimate demands,” it will still review it thoroughly.
On Thursday, the White House said “Israel” had agreed to a new Gaza ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas and claimed that the Palestinian Resistance group rejected the plan, saying it failed to meet key demands.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump and envoy Witkoff had submitted the proposal to Hamas, noting that “Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent.” She added that talks with Hamas were ongoing.
