Hamas Seeks Changes to U.S. Ceasefire Proposal Amid Growing Tensions
In Tel Aviv, Israel, negotiations over a U.S. ceasefire proposal for Gaza have hit a snag as Hamas requests amendments to the plan. A senior Hamas official, who wished to remain anonymous due to the delicate nature of the talks, indicated that the amendments pertain to U.S. guarantees, the timing of hostage releases, aid delivery, and Israeli military withdrawal. However, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed the Hamas response as “totally unacceptable.”
The current proposal aims to establish a permanent ceasefire, mandate a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and secure continuous aid flow. In return, Hamas has offered to release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for a negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners. Israel believes that of the 58 hostages remaining, 35 are deceased.
Witkoff has instead promoted a 60-day ceasefire agreement that would see the release of half the living hostages and the return of half the deceased. He called on Hamas to accept this framework for forthcoming discussions, which could commence next week.
While Israeli authorities have given the green light to the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that negotiations are close to fruition. Despite this, Bassem Naim, a prominent Hamas official, accused Israel of not adhering to previously agreed terms and showed concern over perceived U.S. bias.
“We want the bloodshed to stop,” stated Motasim, a resident of the Al-Bureij refugee camp, expressing the exhaustion felt by many in Gaza.
Mounting Desperation in Gaza
As the blockade on Gaza extends, hunger is becoming a critical issue for over 2 million residents. The U.N. World Food Program reported that Palestinians halted and offloaded 77 food trucks, primarily carrying flour, before they reached their destination. A witness in Khan Younis described how thousands of desperate civilians stopped a U.N. convoy at an improvised roadblock.
Israel’s military coordination body, COGAT, stated that 579 aid trucks entered Gaza last week, but the U.N. claims that 600 trucks a day were arriving during the previous ceasefire, which Israel ended with resumed attacks. Aid organizations stress the urgent need for more food supplies to avert famine, with the WFP prepared to deliver over 140,000 metric tons of food, sufficient to sustain Gazans for two months.
New Humanitarian Efforts and Continuing Conflict
Attempts to deliver aid are further complicated by security concerns. An internal report highlighted four looting incidents in three days at the end of May. A new U.S.- and Israeli-endorsed foundation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), began distributing food in Gaza, but its operations have been criticized for militarizing aid.
Israel claims the GHF will eventually replace U.N. and other aid efforts, accusing Hamas of diverting aid. The GHF, using armed contractors for distribution, reported its largest food delivery yet on Saturday, with 30 truckloads.
Ongoing Israeli Strikes
Despite talks of ceasefire, Israeli military actions continue, with at least 60 Palestinians killed in the latest strikes, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostages. Israeli strikes have since claimed over 54,000 lives in Gaza, predominantly women and children.
Relatives of hostages have renewed calls for a comprehensive ceasefire that would ensure the release of all captives, fearing the consequences of ongoing military pressure.
For further updates on the conflict, visit AP’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
