Hamas chief claims group did not reject US ceasefire proposal

The Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya, clarified in a recorded address that the group did not reject the latest ceasefire offer from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, but instead submitted suggestions for “changes and improvements,” Middle East Eye reported on June 5th.

Reaffirming the position, al-Hayya suggested Hamas remains prepared to engage in renewed, serious negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire. This contradicts earlier reports that Hamas were unwilling to negotiate, according to The National on May 3oth. Al-Hayya confirmed that talks with mediators are ongoing.

He explained that the revisions aimed to prevent Israel from returning to violence, invasions, or forced displacement, and to secure consistent and respectful aid delivery to civilians in Gaza.

Al-Hayya denounced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the central barrier to any agreement, claiming Netanyahu deliberately prolongs the war for ideological and personal reasons, Anadolu Agency reported on June 6th. He insisted Hamas had repeatedly demonstrated flexibility and openness to compromise.

“We’ve agreed to most of the proposals since fighting resumed in March, including one that involved releasing five captives and progressing to the second stage of the January agreement, but Israel refused,” al-Hayya said. He added that Hamas later submitted a comprehensive offer to exchange all captives for a final end to hostilities, which Israel also dismissed.

As a goodwill gesture, Hamas released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander, the BBC reported on May 12th. Al-Hayya said Witkoff’s latest plan called for freeing ten captives and returning 18 bodies over seven days, but failed to guarantee that fighting would not resume afterwards. “Netanyahu himself declared his intention to resume the war after recovering the captives” he said.

Al-Hayya also condemned Israel’s insistence on controlling aid through military channels, which international organisations have rejected as illegal. He accused Israel of continuing attacks with external support, pointing to the recent US veto of a UN resolution that called for lifting the blockade and ensuring emergency aid reached Gaza.

Middle East Eye, BBC, Anadolu Agency, The National