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The United States delegation participating in Gaza cease-fire negotiations will return to Washington for consultations following Hamas’s latest response to a proposal, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy said Thursday.
“We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a cease-fire in Gaza. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X..
“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza,” he added.
Witkoff did not elaborate on what “alternative options” were being considered.
Earlier Thursday, Israel announced it was also recalling its negotiating team. The announcement came as Witkoff met in Rome with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer.
Hamas confirmed that it had submitted its response—along with that of other Palestinian factions—to the mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed receipt and said the response is under review. Neither side disclosed the details.
However, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Hamas demanded the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for killing Israelis in exchange for 10 living hostages, in addition to 2,000 Palestinians detained by Israeli forces in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.
The original proposal, reportedly accepted by Israel, included the release of 125 prisoners serving life terms and 1,200 detainees from Gaza.
According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, citing unnamed security officials, the Israeli military is preparing to expand its ground operations in Gaza in response to Hamas’s demands.
Tel Aviv estimates that about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly half believed to be alive. More than 10,800 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, where they reportedly face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups and media outlets.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing in Doha since July 6, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States, in an effort to reach a cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal.
Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 59,500 Palestinians—most of them women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The offensive has devastated the enclave, collapsed its healthcare system, and triggered widespread food insecurity.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Separately, Israel faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice over its actions in the territory.
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