Movement says it responded positively after broad consultations and remains committed to ceasefire talks
Hamas has expressed surprise at remarks made by US presidential envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff despite its “positive and constructive” stance, which was welcomed by mediators at talks for a ceasefire.
In a statement late Thursday, Hamas said: “We are surprised by the negative remarks made by US envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the movement’s position at a time when mediators expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with our constructive and positive approach.”
The statement came in response to Witkoff’s claims that “Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.”
The US envoy said Thursday that Washington was pulling its delegation from Doha “for consultations” following Hamas’ official response to a proposed ceasefire deal.
“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home,” said Witkoff, without elaborating.
Hamas denied the claims and said it had responded to the latest proposal after extensive consultations with Palestinian factions, mediators, and friendly countries.
“We engaged positively with all the observations we received, reflecting a sincere commitment to the success of the mediators’ efforts and to constructively respond to every initiative presented,” the group said.
Hamas also reaffirmed its willingness to move forward with negotiations and to “contribute to overcoming obstacles and reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement.”
Earlier Thursday, the movement confirmed it had submitted its reply, along with that of other Palestinian factions, to the latest proposal amid a “positive atmosphere.”
Witkoff’s announcement coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision also to pull out Israel’s delegation from Doha for consultations.
-Netanyahu’s approach under fire
Netanyahu claimed his government is working on a “new deal” to retrieve Israeli captives, a move analysts described as more stalling. Israeli and international figures have accused Netanyahu of dragging out the war for the sake of his own political future.
Hamas, for its part, has repeatedly expressed its readiness to release all Israeli captives in one go, in exchange for an end to the ongoing genocidal war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
On Thursday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu’s approach and called on the Israeli government to publicly propose a deal that includes an end to the war, the return of all captives, increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the end of Hamas rule.
Tel Aviv estimates that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, about half of whom remain alive. More than 10,800 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons, subjected to torture, starvation, and medical neglect, resulting in many deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups and media reports.
Since July 6, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been taking place in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with US support, in pursuit of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
Israel has killed more than 59,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, gutted the health system, and led to severe food shortages.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
