TEL AVIV – A senior Hamas official confirmed on Saturday that the group is requesting amendments to a proposed Gaza ceasefire plan brokered by the United States. However, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has rejected the response, labeling it “completely unacceptable,” adding new tensions to already fragile negotiations.
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| TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MAY 31: Protesters hold signs and photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas during a rally calling for a hostage deal on May 31, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The weekly protest came as Hamas was considering a new ceasefire proposal backed by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff. The deal would see the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and return 18 bodies, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, among other terms governing Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images) |
The current U.S.-backed framework aims to pause hostilities after nearly 20 months of relentless conflict in Gaza. The proposed deal includes terms for a phased release of Israeli hostages, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and an increased flow of humanitarian aid.
A Hamas official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the ongoing talks, said the group's proposed changes involve clarity on U.S. guarantees, specific timelines for hostage releases, and structured aid delivery protocols. A separate statement from Hamas reaffirmed its demand for a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance.
According to the statement, Hamas is willing to release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in exchange for a mutually agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. It is estimated that 58 hostages remain, with 35 presumed dead, according to Israeli sources.
U.S. Pushes for Swift Agreement
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff described the proposed agreement as a 60-day truce, designed to secure the release of half of the surviving hostages and the repatriation of half of the deceased. He urged Hamas to accept the terms to pave the way for broader negotiations that could commence in the coming week.
While Israel has tentatively approved the proposal, President Donald Trump noted that discussions were progressing and a final deal could be close.
However, Hamas leader Bassem Naim criticized Israel for allegedly backtracking on agreed points, accusing mediators of bias and undermining the neutrality of the negotiation process.
“We are desperate for peace,” said Motasim, a resident of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. “Our people are exhausted.”
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza as Food Aid Blocked
Conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as residents face widespread hunger due to months of Israeli-imposed blockades. On Saturday, 77 food trucks organized by the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) were intercepted and emptied by civilians before they reached their destination.
A witness in Khan Younis described how thousands of desperate Palestinians hijacked the aid convoy at an improvised roadblock, highlighting the growing lawlessness and desperation in the region.
The three-month blockade has brought over 2 million people to the brink of famine. Although Israel has recently allowed limited aid to pass, humanitarian agencies say it’s far from adequate.
According to COGAT, the Israeli body responsible for Gaza aid coordination, 579 trucks entered over the last week. In contrast, 600 trucks per day were entering under the previous ceasefire agreement.
“We must saturate communities with food to reduce panic,” the WFP said, adding that over 140,000 metric tons of aid are ready to be delivered, enough to feed the population for two months.
However, the U.N. also reported being forced to use insecure delivery routes in Rafah and Khan Younis, where criminal gangs are active. An internal memo cited multiple lootings of aid facilities in recent days.
New Gaza Aid Foundation Sparks Controversy
A newly launched, U.S.- and Israeli-supported organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), began distributing food this week. Its largest operation to date delivered 30 truckloads of supplies, but the rollout has been chaotic and criticized.
The GHF works with armed security contractors, a move condemned by several aid organizations who accuse the group of militarizing humanitarian aid. Israel defends the new structure, saying it’s essential to prevent Hamas from diverting resources — a claim the U.N. denies.
Israeli Strikes Continue, Dozens Killed in 24 Hours
Israel's military continues its intensive operations across the Gaza Strip, reporting that it targeted multiple Hamas sites over the past 24 hours. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 60 Palestinians were killed during Israeli airstrikes, many of them women and children.
Among the dead were:
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Three people shot in Rafah
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A family of three in Gaza City whose vehicle was bombed
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Four more individuals killed in a separate car attack
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Six civilians, including displaced people in a tent, killed in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital spokesperson Weam Fares
While projectiles from Gaza landed in open areas of southern Israel, no significant injuries or damage were reported.
A War With No End in Sight
The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of over 250 hostages, continues to exact a heavy toll. Since then, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed over 54,000 people in Gaza, based on data from the Health Ministry there.
Families of hostages are calling for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that ensures the release of all captives. They warned that continued military pressure endangers the lives of those still in captivity.
“The longer this drags on, the less chance there is for our loved ones to come home alive,” a statement from hostage families said.
