Quick read
- Hamas seeks amendments to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal.
- Key demands include Israeli withdrawal, aid guarantees, and hostage terms.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff calls Hamas’ demands ‘totally unacceptable.’
- Desperation grows in Gaza as hunger and violence escalate.
- Israel has approved the U.S. proposal, with talks possibly starting soon.
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens amid ongoing conflict, negotiations for a ceasefire hit a critical impasse this weekend. Hamas, the ruling group in Gaza, has called for amendments to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, citing unmet guarantees and concerns over aid delivery. The U.S. envoy to the talks, Steve Witkoff, swiftly rejected these amendments, labeling them “totally unacceptable.”
Hamas’ demands for ceasefire amendments
On Saturday, a senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, outlined their proposed changes to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan. The amendments focus on several critical areas, including U.S. guarantees for aid delivery, a timeline for the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, Hamas has emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid flows.
In a separate statement, Hamas proposed releasing 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. Currently, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel estimating that 35 of them have died. However, U.S. envoy Witkoff has urged Hamas to accept the existing framework, which includes a 60-day ceasefire and the release of half the hostages—both living and deceased. Talks could begin as early as next week if an agreement is reached.
U.S. and Israeli responses to the proposal
The U.S. and Israeli governments have reacted differently to the ongoing negotiations. While Israeli officials have approved the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire, President Donald Trump noted that talks are nearing a potential breakthrough. However, tensions remain high as Hamas accuses Israel of deviating from agreed-upon provisions and claims the mediation process is biased.
Witkoff’s public rejection of Hamas’ demands underscores the fragile nature of these negotiations. On social media, he described the U.S. proposal as a balanced framework and criticized Hamas for obstructing progress. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Tel Aviv on May 31, where demonstrators demanded a comprehensive ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza.
Humanitarian crisis escalates in Gaza
The situation on the ground in Gaza remains dire. Following nearly three months of an Israeli blockade, hunger and desperation are pushing the population of over 2 million to the brink of famine. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reported that 77 food trucks carrying essential supplies like flour were looted by desperate civilians before reaching their intended destinations. The incident occurred in Khan Younis, where thousands of people blocked the convoy at a makeshift roadblock.
Despite some aid entering Gaza in recent days, humanitarian organizations argue it is insufficient to meet the escalating needs. Over the past week, Israel allowed 579 trucks of aid into Gaza, far below the 600 daily trucks permitted during the previous ceasefire. The WFP has called for an urgent influx of food to alleviate anxieties and prevent further looting.
Challenges to aid distribution
Efforts to distribute humanitarian aid face significant obstacles, including ongoing violence and security concerns. The United Nations has reported multiple incidents of looting at its facilities, further complicating relief efforts. In May alone, four such incidents occurred within three days. Aid groups have also criticized the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by Israel and the U.S., for militarizing aid distribution by employing armed contractors.
While the GHF claims to have distributed 30 truckloads of food on Saturday, critics argue that this new mechanism undermines existing U.N.-led initiatives. The U.N. denies allegations that Hamas diverts significant amounts of aid, a claim often cited by Israeli authorities to justify the GHF’s operations.
Continued violence exacerbates the crisis
Amid the fraught negotiations, violence in Gaza shows no signs of abating. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 60 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Victims include families in Gaza City and displaced individuals sheltering in Khan Younis. Since the conflict began in October 2023, Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Gaza residents, most of whom are women and children.
The hostilities began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. The ongoing war has left both sides grappling with immense human and material losses, fueling international calls for an immediate ceasefire.
As negotiations remain deadlocked, the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise. Whether these talks can break the cycle of violence and bring relief to millions of civilians hangs in the balance.