Hamas announced Saturday that it is seeking changes to a U.S.-backed ceasefire and hostage agreement with Israel.
The initial proposal, endorsed by Israel, calls for a 60-day ceasefire, the release of 28 Israeli hostages, and the exchange of more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners. The plan also includes the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza during the truce.
As part of its counterproposal, Hamas has offered to release 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The group also reiterated its core demands: a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza—terms that Israel has repeatedly rejected.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff rejected the proposed amendments, calling them “totally unacceptable.”
“These changes only take us backward,” Witkoff said in a post on X. “Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week.”
“That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days,” Witkoff added.
@POTUS @VP @SecRubio @SecDef @CIADirector @DNIGabbard @SusieWiles @USAmbIsrael @StephenM @PressSec @StevenCheung47 @lightstonea @LindseyGrahamSC
I received the Hamas response to the United States’ proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.
Hamas should…
— Office of the Special Envoy to the Middle East (@SE_MiddleEast) May 31, 2025
The Prime Minister’s Office also responded to Hamas’s proposed changes.
“As stated by President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Hamas’ response is totally unacceptable and takes the situation backward.”
“Israel will continue its efforts to bring our hostages home and to defeat Hamas,” the statement concluded.
Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals.
As of Sunday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 54,418 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began.
