Quds News Network Obtains Full Text of Hamas Response to Witkoff Ceasefire Proposal

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas has officially submitted a detailed response to the ceasefire proposal presented by US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff. The document outlines a clear framework for ending the war, ensuring humanitarian access, and starting serious negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.

Senior Hamas official Dr. Bassem Naim said: “We did not reject Witkoff’s proposal. In fact, we agreed last week on a negotiating framework that we considered acceptable.”

Naim added that Witkoff later informed them of Israel’s response, which rejected every point in the understanding.

“It did not meet even the minimum requirements of our people,” Naim said. “Still, we responded responsibly and with flexibility, considering the catastrophic situation our people are living in.”

According to the three-page proposal obtained by Quds News Network, Hamas’s response includes the following key demands:

Key Points from Hamas’s Ceasefire Response:

1. 60-Day Ceasefire Commitment
Hamas demands a temporary 60-day ceasefire, guaranteed by President Donald Trump. Israel must commit fully during this period.

2. Prisoner and Body Exchange
Hamas will release 10 living Israeli prisoners and 18 bodies over the 60-day period. The handovers are staged on days 1, 10, 30, 50, and 60. The release will occur alongside a proportional release of Palestinian detainees and bodies.

3. Immediate Humanitarian Relief
Humanitarian aid must enter Gaza immediately. This includes food, medicine, and fuel via UN agencies and other trusted organizations such as the Red Crescent. Reconstruction of hospitals, schools, roads, and water and electricity infrastructure must also begin.

4. Infrastructure and Freedom of Movement
Hamas insists on allowing freedom of travel through the Rafah crossing, restoration of trade, and plans for long-term reconstruction. A 3–5 year rebuilding period will be overseen by Egypt, Qatar, and the UN.

5. Full Cessation of Israeli Military Activity
All Israeli operations must stop once the agreement takes effect. Reconnaissance and combat drones must pause for 10 hours daily—12 hours on prisoner exchange days.

6. Israeli Army Withdrawal 
Israeli forces must withdraw to the positions they held before 2 March 2025 in all areas of the Gaza Strip, as outlined in the maps from the 19 January 2025 agreement.

7. Launch of Permanent Ceasefire Talks
Negotiations will begin on the first day to finalize:

• A permanent ceasefire.

• Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

• Complete prisoner exchanges.

• Management of Gaza by an independent technocratic committee.

The deal also includes a long-term truce of 5–7 years, guaranteed by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.

8. Trump’s Personal Involvement
US President Trump is expected to personally announce the agreement. He and the US administration will oversee and guarantee the negotiation process.

Naim criticized the biased mediation practices:

“It is unacceptable that Israel’s response is always treated as the only negotiable version. This contradicts basic fairness and shows clear bias.”

After receiving Hamas’s formal reply, US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff dismissed it as “unacceptable.” He has not yet publicly elaborated on which points were rejected.