Did the Gaza Truce Falter Over a Handshake? Details of the Rejected Proposal

27th May 2025

2 minutes read

Did the Gaza Truce Falter Over a Handshake? Details of the Rejected Proposal

As the parties move closer to the edge of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, mutual demands reveal the true depth of disagreement.

Media reports on Monday quoted a source in Hamas as saying that the group had “agreed” to a ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. envoy Steve Wietkopf.

According to the source, the proposal included a 70-day truce in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages in two batches, in return for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners, including several hundred with long-term and life sentences.

However, a spokesperson for the U.S. envoy denied that Hamas had accepted the proposal.

According to the newspaper Israel Hayom and a senior Israeli official, the proposal “does not show a genuine intention from Hamas to proceed according to the framework of U.S. envoy Steve Wietkopf.”

The official, whose identity was not disclosed, said: “No responsible government in Israel can accept such an offer.”

Details of the Rejected Proposal

The proposal – delivered through mediators – included unprecedented demands from Hamas, among them:

A public handshake between senior Hamas official and negotiation delegation head Khalil al-Hayya and U.S. envoy Steve Wietkopf, as a symbol of U.S. guarantees that fighting would not resume after the truce.
Gradual release of 10 living hostages during a 60-day ceasefire period:
- 5 hostages released on the first day
- The remaining 5 released after two months

The Hebrew newspaper noted that these demands “contradict Wietkopf’s original plan, which stipulated the release of all hostages in two phases: the first at the start of the truce, the second at its conclusion.”

Other Hamas demands included:

A wide withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they had seized in Gaza
Entry of large quantities of humanitarian aid
Land Sea and Air… Israel Prepares for an Unprecedente Incursion into Gaza
Mass Displacement and Annexation Threats: The West Bank Faces a Gaza-Like Scenario

Hostage Families React with Anger

In response to these reports, the Hostage Families Forum issued a strongly worded statement: “Once again, the same dangerous concept is being promoted – continuing the war at any cost, unnecessarily. Partial deals are an Israeli loss that can and should be avoided.”

The forum called for “a comprehensive deal to bring back all 58 captives and end the war,” adding: “The Israeli government could reach such an agreement by tomorrow morning if it chose to. This is the will of the vast majority of the people.”

The Bahbah Proposal

This rejection comes amid talk of intensified efforts to find a resolution. Media reports say both sides are studying a proposed document from Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah, in coordination with Wietkopf, which includes:

A cessation of hostilities during the truce
A commitment from Hamas not to carry out attacks, smuggling, or weapons development

Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring back all hostages “alive or dead” held in Gaza, while his military continued to bomb the Gaza Strip heavily.

These developments come amid growing pressure on Israel to halt its offensive in the besieged Palestinian enclave, which has been suffering from hunger and destruction after more than 19 months of war.