Senior Hamas official clarifies position on US ceasefire proposal
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Hamas official Basem Naim criticizes the Israeli response to the US ceasefire proposal, saying it lacks guarantees for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and withdrawal from Gaza.
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Hamas resistance fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025. (AP)
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim has clarified the movement’s position on the recent ceasefire proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff, rejecting claims that Hamas had dismissed the offer outright.
Naim stated that the movement had agreed to a version of the proposal that Witkoff himself deemed acceptable for negotiations. However, he criticized the Israeli response, saying it was incompatible with the terms Hamas had initially accepted.
“Last week, we agreed on a proposal that Witkoff considered acceptable for negotiations, and we received the other side’s response to it,” Naim said. “It does not align with any of the points that had been agreed upon and fails to meet even the minimum requirements of the Palestinian people.”
He emphasized that, despite these shortcomings, Hamas replied with “responsibility and goodwill,” taking into account the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Responding to Witkoff’s criticism, Naim described the envoy’s stance as “unfair” and “completely biased” toward "Israel".
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I received the Hamas response to the United States’ proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.
Hamas should…
Witkoff had earlier denounced Hamas’ position as “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward,” and urged Hamas to accept the framework proposal as a basis for proximity talks, which he said could begin immediately. According to Witkoff, this would be the only path to secure a 60-day ceasefire in the coming days, one that would include the release of half the captives, both living and deceased, and pave the way for serious negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas demands: Ceasefire, aid, and withdrawal guarantees
Outlining the key points, Naim reiterated that any agreement must include a guaranteed 60-day ceasefire respected by "Israel", the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, and clear commitments to end the war and ensure the withdrawal of invading Israeli units from the Gaza Strip.
He posed a critical question regarding the negotiation framework, “Why is the Israeli response always considered the only basis for negotiations?” Naim argued that such a stance “undermines fairness and justice in the mediation process and reflects complete bias toward the other party.”
He also detailed several concerning aspects of the Israeli reply, as conveyed by Witkoff. Among them was a proposed 60-day ceasefire, but one lacking any guarantee that "Israel" would abide by it, particularly as it sought to recover captives within the first week.
He noted that humanitarian aid would be allowed in accordance with "Israel’s" own plan, rather than the pre-March 2 mechanisms agreed upon in the December 19, 2025, deal. Naim said this condition would force Palestinians to effectively “legitimize the militarization of aid” and enable the occupation’s forcible displacement strategy.
Another clause outlined negotiations over withdrawal maps based on "Israel’s" current military positions inside Gaza, a significant departure from the original December agreement. Naim warned that this approach aims to compel Palestinians to recognize Israeli control and dominance over the Gaza Strip.
Naim concluded by stating that the Israeli reply offers no guarantees to end the war or withdraw the occupation forces. Instead, it includes vague references to “redeployments” and “security arrangements” inside Gaza, which he described as clear attempts to entrench military presence and avoid genuine de-escalation.
Al Mayadeen obtains Hamas, other factions' response to US proposal
Hamas had presented a detailed framework on Saturday for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, proposing a 60-day truce during which US President Donald Trump would act as guarantor to ensure "Israel’s" compliance.
According to the document, the plan, mediated by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to pave the way toward a comprehensive resolution to the aggression on Gaza.
Under the proposal, 10 living Israeli captives would be released in the following stages:
- Day 1: 4 captives
- Day 30: 2 captives
- Day 60: 4 captives
Additionally, the bodies of 18 dead captives would be returned as follows:
- Day 10: 6 bodies
- Day 30: 6 bodies
- Day 50: 6 bodies
In exchange, "Israel" would release an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and abide by each phase.
Humanitarian reconstruction provisions
The framework includes the immediate entry of humanitarian aid, in line with the January 19, 2025, protocol, and mandates the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, electricity, water, sanitation, telecommunications, and roads.
Key elements include:
- Restoration of hospitals, health centers, schools, and bakeries
- Free travel for Gaza residents through the Rafah crossing
- Resumption of commercial activity
- Reconstruction plan to be implemented over 3–5 years, supervised by Egypt, Qatar, the UN, and others
- Israeli military withdrawal and cessation of military operations
All Israeli military operations would cease immediately upon the implementation of the agreement. Additionally, aerial activity, including reconnaissance, would pause for 10 hours daily and extend to 12 hours on days when an exchange is taking place.
Following the release of the first group of captives, Israeli forces would withdraw to pre-March 2, 2025, positions, as per maps included in the January 19 agreement.
Governance, post-war planning
The framework proposes that a technocratic committee assume administrative responsibilities in Gaza during the post-ceasefire transition. Additionally, long-term governance and stability would be part of broader negotiations to be launched on Day 1 of the ceasefire.
Topics for negotiation include:
- Terms for releasing all remaining Israeli captives
- Declaration of a permanent ceasefire
- Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
- A long-term cessation of hostilities (5–7 years) guaranteed by the US, Egypt, and Qatar
US-led mediation, international oversight
The framework identifies the US, Egypt, and Qatar as international guarantors for the ceasefire, prisoner exchange, aid access, and follow-up negotiations.
Moreover, Witkoff will travel to the region to lead mediation efforts, while President Trump will personally announce the agreement and reaffirm Washington’s commitment to a final resolution.
Both parties will also:
- Exchange information on prisoners and detainees by Day 10
- Commit to humane treatment of all prisoners in line with international law
- Final exchanges of all remaining captives and remains (from the reported list of 58) would occur after a permanent ceasefire is reached and full Israeli withdrawal is completed
