Ceasefire DOA? Hamas Tweaks Trigger US Ire.

Hamas Seeks Changes to Gaza Ceasefire Proposal; US Envoy Deems Them "Unacceptable"

TEL AVIV, Israel – Hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza face new hurdles as Hamas seeks amendments to the latest U.S. proposal. A senior Hamas official revealed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the group is requesting changes, a move promptly labeled "totally unacceptable" by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

This latest friction arrives as the conflict nears its 20th month, exacerbating the dire situation for both hungry Palestinians and the anxious families of hostages held in Gaza. The growing desperation underscores the urgency for a resolution.

According to the Hamas official, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, the proposed amendments center on several key areas:

• U.S. guarantees
• The timing of hostage release
• The delivery of aid
• The withdrawal of Israeli forces

Specific details of these proposed changes remain undisclosed.

A separate statement from Hamas outlined their vision for the agreement, emphasizing a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a guaranteed flow of humanitarian aid. The statement also mentioned the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others "in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners." Currently, 58 hostages remain, with Israel believing 35 are deceased.

Witkoff, using social media to address the situation, described the U.S. proposal as a 60-day ceasefire deal that would secure the release of half the living hostages in Gaza and the return of half of those who have died. He urged Hamas to accept the framework as a basis for talks, suggesting that discussions could commence as early as next week.

While Israeli officials have reportedly approved the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire, a top Hamas official, Bassem Naim, has accused Israel of deviating from agreed-upon provisions. He alleged a "complete bias toward the other side," claiming it undermines the fairness of the mediation process.

“We want the bloodshed to stop,” said Motasim, a resident of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, reflecting the widespread yearning for peace. “I swear to God, we are tired.”

Desperation Rises Inside Gaza

The humanitarian crisis within Gaza continues to deepen. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) reported that Palestinians intercepted and offloaded 77 food trucks, mostly carrying flour, before they could reach their intended destinations. This incident highlights the mounting hunger resulting from Israel's monthslong blockade.

A witness in Khan Younis, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, told the AP that the U.N. convoy was halted at a makeshift roadblock and emptied by thousands of desperate civilians.

The nearly three-month blockade has pushed Gaza's population of over 2 million to the brink of famine. Although some aid has been allowed to enter in recent days, aid organizations emphasize that the amount is woefully insufficient.

COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for aid coordination in Gaza, stated that 579 trucks of aid had entered over the past week. However, the U.N. notes that 600 trucks per day were entering under the previous ceasefire, which Israel ended with renewed bombardment.

The WFP has expressed grave concerns about the escalating risk of starvation in Gaza. "We need to flood communities with food for the next few days to calm anxieties," the organization stated, adding that it has over 140,000 metric tons of food – enough to feed Gazans for two months – ready for distribution.

The United Nations reported earlier this month that Israeli authorities have compelled them to use unsecured routes within areas controlled by Israel's military in the eastern regions of Rafah and Khan Younis, where armed groups are active and trucks have been stopped.

Attacks, Gangs, and Lack of Protection Hamper UN Distribution

An internal document shared with aid groups, reviewed by the AP, revealed four instances of facilities being looted within a three-day period at the end of May, excluding Saturday's incident.

The U.N. maintains that fighting is the primary obstacle preventing the delivery of adequate aid.

Recently, a new U.S.- and Israeli-backed foundation commenced operations in Gaza, distributing food at various locations amid chaotic scenes.

Israel asserts that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will eventually replace the aid operations conducted by the U.N. and other organizations. They argue that this new mechanism is necessary, alleging that Hamas is diverting significant amounts of aid. The U.N. denies these allegations.

The GHF collaborates with armed contractors, claiming that their presence is essential for ensuring safe food distribution. Aid groups have criticized the foundation for militarizing aid distribution. The GHF reported distributing 30 truckloads of food on Saturday, marking its largest distribution to date.

Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 60

Israel has continued its military campaign throughout Gaza, reporting strikes on numerous targets over the past day. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that at least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes in the preceding 24 hours.

The ministry further stated that three individuals were killed by Israeli gunfire in Rafah early Saturday. Three others – parents and a child – died when their car was struck in Gaza City. An Israeli strike targeted another vehicle in Gaza City, resulting in four fatalities. Additionally, an Israeli strike hit a tent sheltering displaced individuals in Khan Younis, claiming six lives, according to Weam Fares, a spokesperson for Nasser Hospital.

Israel's military reported that several projectiles launched from Gaza landed in open areas.

The conflict began with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 250 hostages.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed over 54,000 Gaza residents, predominantly women and children. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

A group of hostages' relatives has renewed their plea for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement that would secure the immediate release of all remaining hostages, asserting that they "will not survive continued military pressure."

The situation remains incredibly fragile. While the pursuit of a ceasefire continues, the widening gap between Hamas' demands and the U.S.'s definition of acceptable terms raises serious questions about the path forward. The urgent need for humanitarian aid and a cessation of violence is undeniable, and the international community faces the critical task of bridging these divides to alleviate the suffering of those caught in the crossfire.

Tags: Gaza ceasefire, Hamas, US envoy, Israel, Hostage release, Aid delivery, Israeli withdrawal, War in Gaza, Steve Witkoff, US guarantees, Humanitarian Crisis, Blockade, Rafah, Khan Younis

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/01/nx-s1-5419436/hamas-gaza-ceasefire-proposal