The Militant Group Hamas responded on Saturday to a plan backed by Washington for a high fire in Gaza looking for amendments, even for the truce to be permanent and for Israel to completely remove its forces from the enclave. Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the United States to the Middle East who has worked in the proposal, reacted with indignation, qualifying the “totally unacceptable” changes.
Hamas Seeks Amendments to Gaza Ceasefire Proposal; U.S. Envoy Slams Them as ‘Unacceptable’
June 3, 2025 | Middle East Desk
In a major development threatening the progress of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Hamas has requested a series of amendments to the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal — a move that has been met with sharp criticism from the United States. U.S. special envoy for Middle East affairs, David Satterfield, labeled Hamas’s demands as “unacceptable,” casting doubt on the prospects of a swift end to the nearly eight-month conflict in Gaza.
Background: A Fragile Path to Peace
The ceasefire proposal, brokered primarily by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, was presented to both Israel and Hamas last week as part of a renewed international effort to end the hostilities that have devastated the Gaza Strip since October 2024. The plan, reportedly a phased agreement, included provisions for a halt in fighting, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, and the scaled-up delivery of humanitarian aid.
While Israel cautiously signaled openness to the terms of the deal, Hamas responded with a list of proposed changes on Monday night, just hours before a final round of indirect talks was scheduled to begin in Cairo.
Hamas Proposals and U.S. Reaction
According to sources close to the negotiations, Hamas is demanding more specific guarantees on a permanent ceasefire, a complete and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from all of Gaza, and the full reopening of border crossings under international supervision.
In a press briefing from Amman, U.S. envoy David Satterfield sharply criticized the response. “These latest amendments by Hamas are not constructive. They undermine the consensus we have built with our regional partners and Israel,” he said. “They are not negotiating in good faith. These demands are simply unacceptable.”
Satterfield warned that the new proposals could derail months of delicate diplomacy and prolong the suffering of civilians in Gaza. “This was an opportunity for Hamas to show responsibility and prioritize the needs of their people. Instead, they have chosen to move the goalposts.”
Hamas’s Justification
A Hamas spokesperson, Osama Hamdan, defended the movement’s demands in a televised address, arguing that the original draft was too vague and lacked guarantees for Palestinian sovereignty and long-term security.
“We cannot accept a ceasefire that allows Israel to resume aggression under different terms,” Hamdan said. “Our people demand a complete end to the occupation and a clear path to reconstruction, dignity, and self-determination.”
He also accused the United States of bias, saying Washington continues to shield Israel from accountability while pressuring Palestinian factions to compromise. “The international community must understand that peace cannot come without justice,” Hamdan added.
Israel’s Position
Israel has not officially commented on the latest developments, but senior Israeli officials speaking on condition of anonymity told local media that Hamas’s demands amount to “sabotage” of the process. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that any ceasefire must not allow Hamas to regroup militarily.
“There will be no permanent ceasefire until Hamas is dismantled as a military threat,” a government source said Tuesday morning. “We are committed to securing the release of our hostages, and we are willing to consider phased arrangements — but not at the cost of Israel’s security.”
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
As diplomacy falters, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The United Nations reports that more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed, over 70,000 injured, and nearly 80% of Gaza’s 2.2 million population displaced since the war began. Access to clean water, electricity, and medical care remains extremely limited.
Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, issued a stark warning on Tuesday: “We are running out of time. Every day that passes without a ceasefire means more lives lost, more children orphaned, and more hope destroyed.”
International Response
The international reaction to Hamas’s amendments has been mixed. Egypt and Qatar, both of which have played key mediation roles, are reportedly working to salvage the process. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry urged “flexibility and responsibility” from all parties.
Meanwhile, the European Union and the United Kingdom echoed U.S. concerns, with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell calling Hamas’s changes “deeply disappointing.” However, some governments, including Turkey and South Africa, have expressed sympathy with Hamas’s call for clearer terms on long-term sovereignty.
Looking Ahead
Negotiators in Cairo remain hopeful that dialogue can continue in the coming days. Sources familiar with the talks suggest that the mediators may attempt to draft a revised framework that incorporates some of Hamas’s concerns while preserving the core structure of the current proposal.
But with growing frustration among key stakeholders — particularly the U.S. and Israel — time is running short. Should talks collapse, the risk of a renewed escalation looms large.
“There are no guarantees in these kinds of negotiations,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. State Department advisor. “But what is clear now is that trust is dangerously low — and the civilians caught in the middle will pay the highest price if this falls apart.”
