Hamas’ response to the US ceasefire proposal to the Gaza Strip is “completely unacceptable”, Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitkov, reacted today in a post on the X platform.

“It is completely unacceptable and just leads us to regression. Hamas should accept the proposal we presented as a basis for conversations, which we can start next week, “he wrote in his message.

What does Hamas say

Hamas has announced that she has not rejected a ceasefire proposal presented by Steve Whitkov, US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Basem Naim, a senior Palestinian Islamist official, told Reuters.

Naim said Israel’s response to Whitkov’s proposal was incompatible with what the team agreed, and added that the US envoy to the team was “unfair” and showed “complete bias” in favor of Israel.

What does Netanyahu and Israeli Foreign Minister say

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Hamas continues to refuse to propose US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitkov, for a truce in Gaza.

Israel will continue its action in Gaza for the return of hostages and Hamas’ defeat, Netanyahu stressed.

At the same time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Hamas is responsible for continuing the war in Gaza, refusing to release hostages and disarm.

Saar’s statements on the X platform are formulated while Hamas is seeking modifications In the American proposal for a temporary truce with Israel in Gaza.

Hamas announced tonight that it has given mediators to respond to the American ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinian Islamist movement has been in war with Israel since October 7, 2023, without explicitly stating it.

However, Hamas said she was ready to release 10 living hostages and deliver 18 dead, all had been abducted during the unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, as stated by the proposal of US envoy Steve Witkov.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) today submitted its response to the latest proposal by American envoy Steve Whitkov on the sides mediated,” Hamas said in a statement.

“In the context of this agreement, ten living prisoners of the Occupation (Israel SA) held by the resistance will be released, plus the return of 18 corpses, in return for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners” held by Israel.

“This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, the complete departure from the Gaza Strip and to ensure helping to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.

The United States had earlier stated this week that they had received Israel’s consent to the US envoy, without publicizing the full text.

Yesterday, Friday, Israel warned Hamas to accept the US proposal of ceasefire and release of hostages otherwise it would “disappear”, as defense minister Israel Kats said. However, not Israel has not yet expressed explicitly stated if it accepts the US proposal.

What does Hamas insist

A Hamas source said on Saturday that the Palestinian Islamist movement responded positively to the Gaza Strip Agreement proposed by the US, while stressing the need to ensure a “permanent ceasefire”.

“Hamas informed the mediators about her official written response, which includes a positive response to (American envoy Steve) Witkov, but insists on the guarantee of a permanent truce and a complete withdrawal of Israel.” From the Gaza Strip, said the source that is adjacent to the ongoing negotiations and asked not to be named.

At the same time, a Hamas official told Reuters today that the Palestinian movement responded positively to the US ceasefire proposal but calls for some amendments. The official did not explain the amendments to Hamas.