US envoy furious over Hamas' conditions on Gaza peace proposal: "Completely unacceptable", crisis over Israel's release of 10 hostages

Tel Aviv/Gaza: Tensions have escalated over a proposed ceasefire agreement brokered by the US to stop the 15-month-long Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Israel accepted US special envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal, which includes the release of 10 live Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 dead hostages by Hamas. But Hamas demanded amendments to the proposal, which Witkoff rejected as "completely unacceptable". This confrontation has dashed hopes for peace in Gaza.

US proposal and Israel's consent

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a temporary 60-day ceasefire in Gaza through mediators from Egypt and Qatar. Under this:

• Hamas will hand over 10 live Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 dead hostages.
• Israel will release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners, including 125 prisoners serving life imprisonment.
• Humanitarian aid supplies will be restored in Gaza, which will be distributed by organizations such as the United Nations and the Red Crescent.

White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed on May 29 that Israel had approved the proposal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the families of the hostages that his government is committed to this agreement, but the goal of completely eliminating Hamas remains.

Hamas' conditions and US displeasure

Hamas suggested several amendments after reviewing the proposal, including a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a daily supply of 1,000 humanitarian aid trucks. "Our demands are clear—an end to war and starvation, the independence of Gaza, and an independent Palestinian committee for reconstruction," said senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim.

Steve Witkoff described Hamas' conditions as "unacceptable" and "backward." "Hamas must accept our proposed framework so we can begin immediate negotiations. Their response is taking us backwards," he wrote in a post on X. Witkoff stressed that the proposal is the only way to take concrete steps toward the release of hostages and permanent peace in 60 days.

Israel's tough stance

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas that if it did not accept the proposal, it would be "completely wiped out." He said the Israeli military is conducting operations in Gaza at full swing, and recent attacks have destroyed Hamas targets and weapons.

According to Israeli media, some hardline ministers and relatives of hostages have opposed the proposal. Shimon Or, uncle of hostage Avintan Or, called it a "cruel and immoral deal", while Yael Adar, whose son's body is in Gaza, said the deal leaves families in uncertainty.

Gaza's humanitarian crisis

Israel launched a massive military operation on Gaza on 7 October 2023 after a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. According to Gaza health officials, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, mostly women and children. 80% of Gaza's population is displaced, and the hunger crisis has deepened. A recent stampede at a food distribution centre in Rafah that killed 3 people and injured 46 highlighted the severity of the humanitarian crisis.

The UN described Israel's decision to halt aid as "alarming" and said it was a violation of international humanitarian law.

Hamas demands and challenges

Hamas made it clear that it would release the hostages only if Israel agreed to a permanent ceasefire and a full military withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said they were ready for an end to the war and reconstruction, but Israel's conditions were against Palestinian interests.

According to the Times of Israel, one of Hamas' demands is that it should be difficult for Israel to resume the war after the ceasefire. This condition is unacceptable to Israel, as Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are released.

The way forward

The proposal, brokered by US envoy Steve Witkoff, could have opened the way for immediate relief in Gaza and the release of hostages, but Hamas' conditions have complicated it. Experts believe that deep mistrust between the two sides and conflicting goals-Israel's desire to destroy Hamas and Hamas's demand for lasting peace-are making the agreement difficult to implement.

Will Hamas accept the US proposal without modifications, or will Israel step up its military action? This question is crucial for Gaza's future and the stability of the Middle East. The international community is now looking to the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, who are trying to break the deadlock.