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US envoy dismisses Hamas response to ceasefire
31 May 2025 20:12 BST
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff criticised Hamas’s reaction to his ceasefire proposal, calling it “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.”
Witkoff insisted Hamas should accept the framework as the basis for proximity talks, set to begin next week. He claimed this was the sole path to a 60-day ceasefire allowing some hostages to return home.
Earlier on Saturday, Hamas said it welcomed a ceasefire proposal by Witkoff, but is requesting modifications, a senior official told Reuters on Saturday.
The official confirmed the group responded “positively” to the initiative, though discussions remain ongoing.
He declined to specify what changes Hamas is demanding in the current version of the proposal.