Hamas Seeks Amendments to US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Fighting in Gaza nears 20 months, with desperation growing among Palestinians and relatives of hostages. The US envoy has called Hamas's response "totally unacceptable," while Hamas seeks amendments to the proposal focusing on US guarantees, hostage release, aid delivery, and Israeli withdrawal. A permanent ceasefire and aid flow are also part of the Hamas demands.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hamas is seeking amendments to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza, focusing on US guarantees, timing of hostage release, delivery of aid, and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
  • A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and ensured flow of aid.
  • Hamas is ready to release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
  • Fifty-eight hostages remain, and Israel believes 35 are dead.
  • US envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas's response "totally unacceptable" and urged the group to accept the framework proposal as the basis for talks that could begin next week.
  • Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire, and US President Donald Trump said negotiators were nearing a deal.
  • A top Hamas official, Bassem Naim, accused Israel of disagreeing with agreed-upon provisions and alleged a "complete bias toward the other side" that he said violates the fairness of mediation.
  • Palestinians in Gaza blocked and off-loaded 77 food trucks, leaving aid organizations concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis.
  • Israel's military body in charge of aid co-ordination in Gaza, COGAT, said 579 trucks of aid had entered over the past week, while the UN said 600 per day were entering under the previous ceasefire.
  • The UN has over 140,000 metric tons of food ready to be brought in, enough to feed Gazans for two months.

Statistics:

  • 20 months: duration of ongoing fighting in Gaza
  • 10: number of living hostages Hamas is willing to release
  • 18: number of bodies Hamas is willing to release
  • 58: number of hostages remaining
  • 35: estimated number of hostages dead according to Israel
  • 77: number of food trucks blocked and off-loaded by Palestinians
  • 579: number of aid trucks entering Gaza over the past week
  • 600: daily aid intake under the previous ceasefire
  • 140,000 metric tons: amount of food available to be brought into Gaza by the UN
  • 2 months: length of time the available food can feed Gazans

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • A Hamas official (speaking on condition of anonymity)
  • Hamas statement
  • US envoy Steve Witkoff (on social media)
  • Israeli officials
  • US President Donald Trump
  • Bassem Naim, top Hamas official
  • UN World Food Program
  • Israel's military body in charge of aid co-ordination in Gaza (COGAT)
  • Getty Images (Amir Levy)