Trump's Special Envoy Witkoff rejects Hamas's response: 'Absolutely unacceptable'

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has expressed dissatisfaction with the response from Hamas regarding the proposal for a temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement regarding the response Hamas conveyed to mediator countries today, Witkoff said, "Hamas's response to the proposal is absolutely unacceptable and sets the process back."

Stating that Hamas should accept the presented framework proposal as a basis for indirect negotiations, Witkoff said, "We can begin these talks immediately next week.

This is the only way to conclude a 60-day ceasefire agreement in the coming days.

Under this agreement, half of the living hostages and half of those who have lost their lives will be reunited with their families.

In indirect negotiations, we can conduct good-faith, concrete discussions to reach a permanent ceasefire."

The proposal presented by Witkoff also stipulated that the parties must separately agree on parameters regarding Israel's partial withdrawal from the Gaza Strip during the 60-day ceasefire period.

HAMAS HAD RESPONDED

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in a statement to reporters yesterday that an agreement could be announced by today at the latest.

In a statement made by Hamas today, it was noted that a response to the offer had been provided, and it was conveyed 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.

News Source: İHA