Hamas: We requested some clarifications and improvements

Hamas's Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya made statements regarding the proposal for a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange in the Gaza Strip that U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently presented to the parties.

Stating that they did not reject Witkoff's proposal, al-Hayya said, "The movement did not reject Witkoff's proposal, but we requested some clarifications and improvements to ensure the war comes to an end."

Noting that Hamas is ready to participate in a new round of negotiations, al-Hayya stated that they are in contact with mediator countries. Al-Hayya reiterated Hamas's demands for the war to be ended and for the Israeli army to withdraw from Gaza.

THE U.S. HAD REACTED

Hamas had previously stated that Witkoff's proposal, which included a 60-day temporary ceasefire, did not contain a clear U.S. guarantee that the temporary ceasefire would be extended accordingly if negotiations exceeded 60 days, or that the temporary ceasefire would lead to a permanent one.

In its response to the proposal, Hamas had stated that 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 hostages in the Gaza Strip would be handed over to Israel, in exchange for which Israel would release a certain number of Palestinian prisoners.

Witkoff reacted to Hamas's response, stating, "Hamas's response to the proposal is absolutely unacceptable." Israel, for its part, had accepted Witkoff's ceasefire proposal on May 29.

News Source: İHA