In the midst of ongoing turmoil in Gaza, Hamas is seeking changes to the latest ceasefire proposal presented by the United States, according to a senior official from the group. However, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy, has dismissed the group’s response as “totally unacceptable.” This tension arises as the conflict approaches its 20-month mark, with a heightened sense of urgency among Palestinians and the families of hostages in the region.
The Hamas official, who wished to remain unnamed due to the delicate nature of the discussions, indicated that their amendments centered on U.S. guarantees, timing for hostage releases, delivery of aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Although specific details were not disclosed, another statement from Hamas pointed toward the proposal’s goal of a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal, and a steady flow of humanitarian aid. Additionally, they mentioned that in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released. Presently, 58 hostages are held, with Israel believing 35 of them are deceased.
Witkoff, on his social media platform, outlined a different vision—a 60-day ceasefire agreement that would see half of the living hostages freed and half of those deceased returned. He underscored the necessity for Hamas to endorse this framework as a negotiation baseline, which could potentially pave the way for talks to commence in the coming week.
Israeli authorities have given their nod to the U.S. temporary ceasefire proposal. President Donald Trump has also indicated that negotiators are close to reaching a settlement. Contrarily, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas leader, accused Israel of not honoring agreed terms and criticized the talk’s mediators of an inherent bias that compromised fairness.
Voices from within Gaza highlight the desperation, including Motasim from the Al-Bureij camp, who lamented the unending violence, expressing fatigue and a longing for peace. As tensions persist, so does the humanitarian crisis. Recent reports from the U.N. World Food Program revealed that Palestinians blocked and seized 77 trucks loaded with food supplies as hunger levels soared amidst Israel’s enduring blockade. The aid, mainly flour, was taken before reaching its planned destinations.
A witness from Khan Younis recounted how a large U.N. convoy was intercepted by thousands of desperate civilians and offloaded. The prolonged blockade has placed Gaza, home to over 2 million people, on the precipice of famine. Although Israel recently allowed some aid entry, it falls short of the necessary amount, according to aid agencies.
Israel’s COGAT agency reported that 579 trucks had entered Gaza last week. While this is notable, it pales in comparison to the 600 trucks entering daily during the previous ceasefire, which was disrupted by new bombings. The WFP remarked on the high fears of starvation, emphasizing the need for substantial food deliveries to alleviate stress. They claim to have enough food—about 140,000 metric tons—to cover Gazans’ needs for two months if allowed entry.
The U.N. has faced challenges in delivering aid due to Israel’s imposed routes through militarized zones around Rafah and Khan Younis, where risks from armed groups and looting are high. Internal documents shared with NGOs reveal numerous incidents of looting, exacerbating the struggle to provide essential resources.
Complicating matters further, a new U.S.- and Israeli-supported initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has started operations, delivering food with more militarized approaches. Israel anticipates this foundation will eventually replace current U.N. and NGO efforts, accusing Hamas of misappropriating aid—a claim the U.N. disputes.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate the region, causing at least 60 fatalities over the past day, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The report details numerous deaths across various Gaza locales, including families and displaced persons.
Vigilant relatives of hostages persistently call for a comprehensive ceasefire to ensure the liberation of all captives, stating the unsustainable nature of ongoing military action.