Israel hostage deal in doubt as Hamas adds demands, US envoy calls terms ‘unacceptable’
Fox News
Hamas agrees to release of 10 living hostages and return the bodies of 18 more, but terms that include a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza have been deemed unacceptable by the U.S. and Israel.
Israeli media reported that Hamas added new demands to the proposal from U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, including a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian aid flow into the strip. Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
Witkoff's proposal did not include a full withdrawal or a ceasefire, the Jerusalem Post reported, and that Hamas added terms of its own. You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
In a statement posted to X on Saturday, Witkoff called Hamas' response to the American proposal "totally unacceptable" and warned it "only takes us backward." He urged the group to accept the original framework in order to begin proximity talks as early as next week, which could pave the way for a 60-day ceasefire and the return of both living and deceased hostages.
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