Hamas officials and President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, are clashing after dramatic new claims about a possible Gaza cease-fire. Both sides accuse each other of manipulating details around a high-stakes proposal involving hostages, prisoners, and the future of the war-torn region.
According to the New York Post, Hamas asserted it received a new U.S. proposal promising a 70-day truce, phased hostage releases, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—terms sharply disputed by Witkoff and Israeli authorities.
The episode has sparked a new round of finger-pointing and deepening mistrust, with Israel saying it cannot accept Hamas’ version and Witkoff labeling the group’s maneuvering “disappointing and completely unacceptable.” Both sides now stand further apart as pressure mounts for a breakthrough.
Steve Witkoff, a real estate billionaire tapped by President Trump as his special envoy, quickly pushed back against Hamas’ statements about the cease-fire offer. He insists the version Hamas described does not match the document he sent, emphasizing that critical elements were misrepresented.
Hamas told Reuters on Monday that the U.S. proposal included a 70-day cease-fire, the release of five living hostages at both the start and end of the truce and a partial pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas also said the deal called for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many serving long sentences.
Witkoff, in interviews with Axios and CNN, denied those terms. He stated the real proposal was for a 45- to 60-day cease-fire, with the release of 10 living and 19 dead Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel, he said, had agreed to these terms.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office wasted no time in dismissing the deal Hamas publicized. They labeled it a “U.S. proposal” and insisted it was not acceptable to any responsible Israeli government.
“No responsible Israeli government could accept it,” Netanyahu’s office declared on Monday, underscoring their hard line against any agreement that does not meet Israel’s security objectives.
The statement comes as Israel remains committed to its military campaign in Gaza, which resumed in March after the collapse of the last cease-fire agreement. Israeli officials continue to say their goal is to eradicate Hamas and secure the release of all hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
Despite criticism from both Witkoff and Netanyahu’s office, Hamas remains firm in its demands. The group insists that any permanent cease-fire and full release of hostages depends on Israel withdrawing completely from Gaza.
After Israeli forces renewed their operations in March, Hamas resumed rocket attacks and other strikes on Israeli territory. Hamas-linked officials told Reuters the group will not back down from its core requirement: a total Israeli withdrawal as the price for peace and hostage releases.
Witkoff, meanwhile, argued that his proposal offers the best path forward for both sides. He emphasized that Israel had agreed to the terms and that Hamas should come to the table. Witkoff told Axios, “What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and completely unacceptable.”
As political wrangling continues, the fate of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners hangs in the balance. Previous cease-fire efforts yielded only temporary relief, with violence quickly resuming after the last truce collapsed in March.
Witkoff has urged Hamas to accept the deal, warning that delay only prolongs suffering and instability. He told CNN the agreement would “lead to meaningful negotiations to find a path to a permanent cease-fire,” but so far, Hamas has not agreed to his terms.
Netanyahu’s government has echoed Witkoff’s urgency but insists that any deal must prioritize Israel’s security and not reward what they consider terrorist tactics. With both sides entrenched, international mediators face an uphill battle to broker lasting peace.
