Witkoff: Hamas reply to US ceasefire proposal ‘unacceptable’
Charles Bybelezer, Amelie Botbol
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had accepted the American framework, which includes provisions for the release of hostages from Gaza.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visits Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed on Saturday night that Hamas had effectively rejected the latest American ceasefire proposal.
“I received the Hamas response to the United States’ proposal. It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward,” said Witkoff.
He urged Hamas to accept the framework put forward by Washington as a basis for proximity talks, which he said could begin as early as next week.
“That is the only way we can finalize a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days—one that would see half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased returned to their families,” he said. “Through these proximity talks, we can also engage in substantive, good-faith negotiations to try to reach a permanent ceasefire.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had agreed to the U.S. framework, and placed blame for the impasse squarely on Hamas.
The Palestinian terror group “persists in its refusal,” he said, adding, “Israel will continue its efforts to return our hostages and defeat Hamas.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that Hamas bears full responsibility for the ongoing war, citing the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre and the terrorist group’s continued refusal to release captives or disarm.
“If France and the U.K. want to reach a ceasefire, pressure should be put on Hamas, which continues to say ‘no,’ instead of attacking Israel, which says ‘yes,’” said Sa’ar.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned in a statement on Friday that Hamas has a choice: accept the Witkoff proposal or face destruction.
“The [Israel Defense Forces] continues its operations in Gaza with full force, striking and dismantling Hamas strongholds, while evacuating the local population from every combat zone and attacking the area from the air, land and sea on an unprecedented scale,” the statement read.
“Our foremost commitment is to the protection of our brave soldiers in regular and reserve duty above all other considerations. After eliminating the terrorists and clearing the area, the IDF removes every threat following the Rafah model—and remains to maintain control of the location,” the statement continued.
“In this way, we will achieve the objectives of the war: the release of all hostages and the defeat and destruction of Hamas,” it concluded.
The “Rafah model” is a reference to the reported large-scale flattening of buildings and infrastructure in the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, due to concerns regarding terrorist threats such as hidden explosive devices. The model also views an indefinite deployment of IDF troops in the area as a security asset to prevent Hamas from re-establishing itself.
“The moment Israel should have taken control of the Gaza Strip was June 14, 2007—the day the barbaric Hamas group violently seized power,” Israeli Knesset member Amit Halevy (Likud) told JNS. “And without question, it should have happened on Oct. 8, 2023, following the horrific massacre they carried out against Israeli citizens,” he added.
“Even now, despite the delay, Israel has a responsibility to retake the Strip, establish full control and eliminate every trace of radical Islam from the area,” he said.
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