'Unacceptable': Witkoff slams Hamas for 'backwards' hostage deal changes
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff slammed Hamas for making what he called were "backward" changes to the US-backed hostage deal proposal.
"I received the Hamas response to the United States’ proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward. Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week," Witkoff said on X/Twitter.
"That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families and in which we can have at the proximity talks substantive negotiations in good-faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire," he concluded.
His statements came following an official announcement from Hamas saying,"Following a round of national consultations, and out of our responsibility to our people and their suffering, Hamas today submitted to the mediators its response to the latest proposal by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, in a manner that will lead to a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensuring the flow of aid to our people in the Gaza Strip."
"As part of this agreement, ten live Israeli hostages, held by the resistance, will be released, in addition to the return of eighteen bodies, in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners," the statement concluded.
The original Witkoff proposal did not include a full IDF withdrawal or a permanent ceasefire, meaning the response doesn't answer positively to the terms, and Hamas added terms of its own.
The Prime Minister's Office also responded to Hamas's changes, saying, While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff framework for the release of our hostages, Hamas continues to cling to its refusal."
"As stated by President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Hamas’ response is totally unacceptable and takes the situation backward."
"Israel will continue its efforts to bring our hostages home and to defeat Hamas," the statement concluded.
Later, N12 and Ynet reported that Hamas's demands included a ceasefire for up to seven years.
Earlier on Saturday, sources told Saudi news sources Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath that the terrorist organization will respond positively to the envoy's proposal, but with reservations.
The initial announcement was made by a senior official of the terrorist organization to the Hamas-affiliated newspaper Al-Risalah, adding that the response will come after a series of leadership consultations within the terror group.
Hamas will express opposition to the lack of clear guarantees for ending the war, according to Al-Arabiya, while also reporting that the terrorist organization will warn in its response that it will not allow Israel "freedom of action to renew the war," and will demand US guarantees for the implementation of the clauses in any agreement with Israel. The report also said that Hamas will request, as part of the proposal, that Palestinian prisoners should not be handed over in just two days, as stated in Witkoff's proposal, but rather in batches over the 60-day truce.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Saturday to discuss Hamas's refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff slammed Hamas for making what he called were "backward" changes to the US-backed hostage deal proposal.
"I received the Hamas response to the United States’ proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward. Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week," Witkoff said on X/Twitter.
According to Al Mayadeen, Hamas reportedly requested several changes to the proposal, including a permanent ceasefire between the two sides for a period of 5-7 years, guaranteed by the mediators and negotiated within 60 days.
The terrorist group also expressed its commitment to release 10 living hostages within those 60 days: four on the first day, two on the 30th day, and four on the 60th day.
Hamas also stated an independent committee would manage the Gaza Stripimmediately upon the commencement of the agreement's implementation.
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