Background on Hamas and its Significance
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamic political organization and militant group that has governed the Gaza Strip since its victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. It is considered a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union. Hamas’s political ideology is rooted in rejecting the existence of Israel, and it has been involved in numerous armed conflicts with Israel.
Who is Steve Witkoff?
Steve Witkoff is the U.S. Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, appointed by President Donald Trump. Witkoff has been actively involved in mediating peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, including the most recent ceasefire negotiations.
The Proposed Ceasefire Plan
On May 26, a report emerged that Hamas had allegedly accepted a ceasefire proposal presented by Steve Witkoff. The plan reportedly included:
– A 70-day truce in exchange for the release of 10 hostages in two batches.
– During this truce, negotiations for a permanent ceasefire with U.S. guarantees would commence.
Hamas’s Rejection and Witkoff’s Response
However, Hamas later denied accepting the proposal. Witkoff reportedly stated that Hamas’s response was “disappointing and completely unacceptable.” Axios reporter Barak Ravid confirmed this information via X (formerly Twitter).
Context and Impact
The proposed ceasefire plan surfaced amidst Israel’s intensified offensive in Palestinian territories, following unsuccessful previous ceasefire negotiations since a two-month truce failed in mid-March. The U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been mediating these peace talks since the conflict began in October 2023 following a surprise Hamas attack on Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Stance
Amidst the confusion, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring back all hostages, both living and deceased. He emphasized that Israel would not give up until all captives were returned, stating this during the closing ceremony of “Jerusalem Day” festivities. Earlier, Netanyahu had hinted at a potential announcement regarding hostages “today or tomorrow” without providing further details.
Casualties and Bombing Reports
At least 52 people died from Israeli bombings in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. Thirty-three of these fatalities occurred in a school sheltering displaced individuals, where the Israeli army claimed “high-profile terrorists” were present. The Palestinian government reported attacking 200 targets in the past 48 hours and warned residents to evacuate southern Gaza due to an “unprecedented” military operation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Hamas? Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamic political organization and militant group governing the Gaza Strip since 2006. It is considered a terrorist organization by many countries, including the U.S. and EU.
- Who is Steve Witkoff? Steve Witkoff is the U.S. Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, appointed by President Donald Trump. He has been mediating peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
- What was the proposed ceasefire plan? The plan included a 70-day truce in exchange for the release of 10 hostages in two batches, with negotiations for a permanent ceasefire to begin during this truce.
- Why did Hamas reject the proposal? Hamas denied accepting the proposal, calling their response “disappointing and completely unacceptable.”
- What is the current situation in Gaza? Israel continues its offensive in Palestinian territories, with at least 52 people killed from bombings in Gaza. The Israeli army claims “high-profile terrorists” were present in a school sheltering displaced individuals.
