- US rejects counterproposal by Hamas for ceasefire as ‘totally unacceptable’
GAZA STRIP: At least 32 Palestinians have been killed and 136 others injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the territory’s Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The latest wave of strikes hit several areas, including Rafah and northern Gaza, amid escalating hostilities and mounting international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Earlier, an Israeli attack near an aid distribution point run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) killed at least 39 people in Rafah.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported attack, which WAFA said injured more than 220 people, Al Jazeera reported.
The GHF, also backed by Israel, recently started operating in Gaza.
While some Palestinians have expressed concern over its neutrality and biometric and other checks Israel said it would employ, Israeli officials maintain it allows for screening of recipients to exclude anyone found to be connected with Hamas.
Ceasefire talks
Hamas has submitted a counterproposal to the United States for a potential ceasefire in Gaza, including a 60-day truce, limited hostage releases, and the initiation of negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. However, the US has swiftly rejected the response as “totally unacceptable.”
According to documents obtained by Al Jazeera, Hamas has offered to release 10 living Israeli captives in three stages and return the bodies of 18 more. In exchange, it demands the release of an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal also calls for the entry of unconditional humanitarian aid through the UN and affiliated agencies, and for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire to commence on the first day of the truce. Hamas further requested a guarantee from the Trump administration—cited in the draft proposal—to support talks toward a final settlement.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff criticised the response, saying it would only “take us backward,” and urged Hamas to accept the framework already presented by Washington and its allies.
“That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days, in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families,” Witkoff said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
A senior Hamas official, speaking to regional media, said the group’s counteroffer was intended as a “positive response” and focused on securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a binding ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the US envoy’s assessment, rejecting Hamas’s proposal and accusing the group of remaining entrenched in “rejectionism.”
Israel’s war on Gaza
The total death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has risen to 54,418 killed and 124,190 injured since October 7, 2023, the ministry said, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel has killed 4,149 Palestinians and injured 12,149 since breaking two-month-old ceasefire on March 18 this year.
Israel’s atrocities have displaced around 90% of Gaza’s estimated 2 million residents, created a severe hunger crisis, and caused widespread destruction across the territory.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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.
