Hamas Seeks Ceasefire Changes, U.S. Envoy Rejects Proposal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hamas has requested amendments to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza, drawing sharp criticism from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. As humanitarian conditions worsen, aid disruption and Israeli airstrikes continue. Meanwhile, growing desperation inside Gaza fuels fears of a looming famine.
Quick Looks
- Ceasefire Proposal: Hamas seeks changes to U.S. plan; U.S. envoy calls response “unacceptable”
- Key Amendments: Hamas wants clearer U.S. guarantees, phased Israeli withdrawal, and better aid terms
- Hostage Deal: Hamas offers release of 10 living, 18 deceased in exchange for prisoners
- U.S. View: Envoy Steve Witkoff pushes 60-day deal as launchpad for broader peace
- Aid Crisis: Civilians hijack 77 food trucks as Gaza teeters on famine
- Military Campaign: Israeli airstrikes kill 60+ in 24 hours across Gaza
- UN Struggles: Routes unsafe; armed gangs, looting, and limited access stall relief
- New Aid Mechanism: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distributes food amid militarization concerns
- War Toll: Over 54,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, per Gaza health authorities
- Hostage Families: Urge all-inclusive deal, fearing deaths under continued military pressure
Deep Look
Efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza remain stalled as Hamas pushes for amendments to a U.S.-proposed framework that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff labeled “totally unacceptable.” The militant group has called for clearer U.S. guarantees, a defined timeline for hostage releases, aid delivery, and a full Israeli military withdrawal, though specific amendments were not publicly disclosed.
The situation underscores the deep divide between Hamas’ long-term demands and what U.S. and Israeli negotiators are willing to offer. In a separate statement, Hamas emphasized that any deal should lead to a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal, and guaranteed humanitarian access. It confirmed willingness to release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. There are currently 58 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, with Israel estimating 35 of them are dead.
Witkoff, sharing details via social media, described the U.S. framework as a 60-day ceasefire that would see half the living hostages freed, alongside half the deceased returned. He urged Hamas to accept the framework, calling it a “foundation for negotiations” that could move forward in the coming week.
The Israeli government has approved the U.S. proposal, and President Donald Trump has expressed optimism, saying that a deal is near.
But inside Gaza, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to spiral. As the war nears the 20-month mark, desperation among Gaza’s 2 million residents is peaking. On Saturday, civilians in southern Gaza stopped and looted 77 food trucks, according to the U.N. World Food Program (WFP). Much of the aid — mostly flour — was seized before reaching distribution centers, highlighting the breakdown of order amid widespread hunger.
A witness in Khan Younis, speaking anonymously for safety, described thousands of people overwhelming a U.N. convoy at a makeshift checkpoint, unloading food supplies by hand. The nearly three-month Israeli blockade has drastically reduced food inflows, pushing Gaza to the brink of famine.
According to COGAT, Israel’s military unit overseeing aid coordination, 579 trucks entered Gaza in the past week. That number pales in comparison to the 600 trucks per day that entered during the previous ceasefire. Aid agencies argue that the current volume is far from sufficient.
The WFP, warning of mass starvation, urged a large-scale food deployment. “We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties,” the agency said. It reported that 140,000 metric tons of food are ready for delivery — enough to feed Gaza for two months — but security and logistical barriers persist.
The U.N. revealed earlier this month that Israeli forces have redirected them through unsecured eastern corridors of Rafah and Khan Younis, where armed gangs operate. Aid trucks traveling these routes have faced delays, interceptions, and frequent looting.
An internal U.N. security report viewed by the Associated Press documented four looting incidents across three days in late May, not including the most recent events. Ongoing conflict, the report said, has made it impossible to guarantee safe, consistent aid distribution.
In response, a new aid mechanism — the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — has begun operations. Supported by both U.S. and Israeli authorities, the GHF distributed 30 truckloads of food on Saturday, marking its largest delivery to date. The GHF operates with armed contractors for protection, citing the need to safely distribute aid in a lawless environment. Critics, however, argue this approach militarizes humanitarian aid, raising concerns about neutrality and accountability. The U.N. has pushed back on Israeli claims that Hamas routinely diverts large volumes of aid.
Amid these developments, Israeli airstrikes continue unabated. In the last 24 hours alone, at least 60 Palestinians were killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Airstrikes targeted civilian vehicles, shelters, and urban areas, including:
- Three people in Rafah, reportedly shot by Israeli ground troops
- A family of three — parents and child — killed in a car strike in Gaza City
- Another car attack in Gaza City killed four
- A strike on a tent sheltering displaced civilians in Khan Younis killed six, reported by Weam Fares, spokesperson for Nasser Hospital
Israel’s military confirmed ongoing operations and said several projectiles from Gaza had landed in open areas, causing no injuries.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 54,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants.
As the war rages, hostage families continue to plead for an all-inclusive deal. In a joint statement, relatives expressed fear that “continued military pressure” could claim the lives of those still held. They urged leaders to prioritize a complete ceasefire and comprehensive hostage release, warning that time is running out.
Hamas Seeks Ceasefire
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