The group accuses U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff of yielding to Israeli conditions and ignoring Hamas’s core demands.
Hamas said Thursday that it is reviewing the latest cease-fire proposal presented by the United States for a new truce in Gaza, even though the group claims the document “does not meet any” of its demands.
The U.S. envoy under Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, presented a new proposal to both Israel and Hamas, offering a 60-day cease-fire. Under the plan, the first seven days would see the release of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies, in exchange for 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 convicted of deadly attacks.
Additionally, the two-month truce would allow for the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, require an Israeli Defense Forces redeployment in the first week, and mandate proof of life or death for remaining hostages by the tenth day.
However, the document makes no mention of a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza or any commitment by Tel Aviv to a permanent cease-fire after the period ends.
For this reason, Hamas accused the United States of aligning with Israel in drafting the proposal, largely accepting the demands of Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, over Hamas’s own.
“The leadership of the movement has received Witkoff’s new proposal from the mediators,” Hamas said in a statement, claiming it “perpetuates the occupation and continues death and starvation even during the temporary truce period.” The group emphasized that its demands include “an end to the war and the starvation.”
According to The Jerusalem Post, citing a source close to the talks, Hamas feels deceived by Witkoff and is reportedly demanding changes to the plan before it would agree.
Despite its dissatisfaction, Hamas said it is “responsibly studying” the proposal “in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent cease-fire in the Strip,” promising to deliver a formal response.
Israel, for its part, has already “endorsed and supported” the initiative, confirmed White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
“I can confirm that the talks are ongoing, and we hope to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza so that all hostages can return home, which has been a priority of this administration from the start,” she said during her regular press briefing, expressing cautious optimism about progress toward a third truce in nearly 20 months of fighting.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues to intensify pressure on Hamas, announcing new operations in northern Gaza.
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on residents of the Al Atatra, Jabalia Al Balad, Al Shujaiya, Al Daraj, and Al Zaytun neighborhoods to “evacuate immediately” as these areas would now be considered “dangerous combat zones.”
“Terrorist organizations continue their subversive activities in the area, and therefore the Israel Defense Forces will expand its offensive operations where they are located to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organizations,” Adraee said.
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