A top Palestinian official asserted on Monday that Hamas had accepted a ceasefire and hostage release offer reportedly made by American special envoy Steve Witkoff. The assertion was, however, quickly dismissed by Israeli and US officials, who said the terms were incorrect and unacceptable.
The Palestinian chairman, a close ally of Hamas, explained to Reuters the offer included freeing 10 Israeli hostages in two batches, a 70-day truce, and a partial Israeli pullback from Gaza. Israel also would free some Palestinian inmates, including many who were serving lengthy sentences.
Allegations notwithstanding, an Israeli official refused the offer, saying no responsible government could sign up to it. The official also contradicted that the offer came from Witkoff. In a different release to Reuters, Witkoff attested that the document Hamas answered was not his and labeled its content as “completely unacceptable.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of the situation in a video statement on social media, holding out hope for an advancement in the fight to defeat Hamas and win the release of the remaining hostages. His office had no further comment.
Resentment still subsists after Israel’s latest war in Gaza resumed following a short-lived ceasefire that expired in March. Hamas threatened to free all the hostages and accept a permanent ceasefire if Israel withdraws completely from Gaza. Netanyahu is adamant that a permanent ceasefire can only be achieved once Hamas has been destroyed.
The conflict, fueled by Hamas’ terroristic October 7 strikes in southern Israel, has taken the life of almost 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials said. Amidst the broad destruction and soaring malnutrition, aid agencies keep forewarning of a deepening humanitarian crisis within the enclave.
