Hamas on Sunday pressed for amendments to a U.S.–brokered proposal for a 60-day cease-fire in Gaza, drawing a swift rebuke from President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who labeled the response “totally unacceptable.”
The group said it would free 10 living hostages and return the remains of 18 others in exchange for more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners, but insisted on a permanent end to the war, a full Israeli pullout and unrestricted aid flows — terms Israel has repeatedly rejected.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his cabinet had already accepted Witkoff’s outline and accused Hamas of “continuing its rejection.” Israel, he added, would keep fighting “until our hostages come home and Hamas is defeated.”
A document seen by The Associated Press shows Hamas also demanding open travel through Gaza’s Rafah crossing, restoration of electricity and water, and permission to import building materials to repair battered hospitals, schools and bakeries. It envisions U.N. and Red Crescent-led aid deliveries once Israeli forces halt operations.
Under the draft, guaranteed by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, Hamas would provide updated lists of hostages in return for information on Palestinians detained since the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Trump would announce the deal personally, the document says.
A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations told the AP that Hamas seeks to stagger hostage releases over three phases, increase aid to multiple parts of Gaza and secure firm assurances that the truce will become permanent.
Israel’s conditions include Hamas’ disarmament and the release of all 58 remaining captives.
Witkoff wrote on X that Hamas’ counter-offer “takes us backward” and urged it to accept the existing framework so proximity talks can begin this week.
Meanwhile, Israel said it killed Gaza commander Mohammad Sinwar on May 13 in a strike that also targeted a southern hospital. Hamas has not confirmed the death.
Israel’s renewed air-and-ground offensive, launched in March after a two-month lull, has pushed more than 2 million Gazans into shrinking coastal and southern enclaves. Health officials say the campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians; Israeli tallies put their own death toll from the Oct. 7 raids at 1,200.
Aid groups warn the strip is on the brink of famine. The World Food Program said armed men hijacked dozens of its flour trucks Saturday, while U.N. relief chief Philippe Lazzarini called current supply levels “a mockery” of Gaza’s needs.
Israel denies blocking aid and accuses Hamas of looting supplies, a charge the group rejects.