Hamas has officially responded to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal, expressing conditional support while firmly demanding essential amendments that prioritize a permanent ceasefire, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged Palestinian territory.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Palestinian resistance movement said its position was formed following comprehensive national consultations, aiming to end the brutal Israeli assault on Gaza and alleviate the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. While welcoming the U.S. initiative in principle, Hamas emphasized that no deal can move forward without guarantees to stop Israel’s military aggression once and for all.

The proposed plan, presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, includes a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release ten living Israeli captives and the remains of 18 others in exchange for an undisclosed number of Palestinian detainees. Crucially, Hamas is calling for an end to the Israeli occupation, permanent cessation of hostilities, and sustained international aid access, free from Israeli interference.

A Hamas official told Reuters that while the group sees the proposal as a potential pathway to peace, amendments are needed to ensure Palestinian rights and long-term stability. Central to their demands are a permanent ceasefire and a phased release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are being held without charge or trial in Israeli jails.

Israeli media offered mixed interpretations of Hamas’s response. Channel 12 characterized it as an attempt to “force an end to the war,” while Army Radio noted the statement's deliberate ambiguity, reflecting strategic caution. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) reported that Hamas is pressing for a binding commitment to end the war and allow Palestinians to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

Meanwhile, the Israeli leadership finds itself under pressure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza—has come under fire for misjudging the U.S. shift in stance. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu criticized his top negotiator, Ron Dermer, for failing to predict the growing international demand for an end to the bloodshed.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News that President Donald Trump remains “very optimistic” about reaching a deal. However, the spokesperson also reaffirmed Washington’s longstanding hostility toward Hamas, with both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting the group should not have a future role in Palestinian governance—statements that many Palestinians see as a continuation of biased U.S. policy.

Since October 2023, Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, wounded more than 124,000, and displaced nearly the entire population. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, hospitals targeted, and aid convoys blocked. International legal experts and human rights organizations increasingly describe the campaign as genocidal, demanding urgent international action to stop what many now consider a war of extermination.

As Hamas calls for a just and lasting peace, rooted in Palestinian sovereignty and freedom, the ball is now in Israel’s court. The world watches closely to see whether Tel Aviv will choose continued war or a path toward justice and coexistence. (ILKHA)