Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees of humanitarian rights for the Palestinian people

Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and guarantees of humanitarian rights for the Palestinian people

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Wietkoff on Saturday described Hamas's response to the American ceasefire proposal in the Gaza war as "completely unacceptable."

Wietkoff stated:

“I have received Hamas's response to the U.S. proposal. It is completely unacceptable and takes us backward,” — he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He further added:

“Hamas should accept the structural proposal we have presented, which we can use as the basis to begin indirect talks in the coming week.”

Wietkoff explained:

“This is the only way we can conclude a 60-day ceasefire agreement in the coming days—under which half of the living hostages and half of the deceased can be returned to their families. At the same time, we can begin constructive discussions during this indirect negotiation process aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire, based on good faith.”

Earlier, Hamas stated that it had delivered its response to Wietkoff’s recent Gaza ceasefire proposal through mediators Egypt and Qatar.

In its response, Hamas presented what resembled a list of demands, stating:

“A permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and a guaranteed, continuous flow of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.”