What Is the Fate of the Gaza Truce? Hamas Responds to Witkoff

25th July 2025

3 minutes read

What Is the Fate of the Gaza Truce? Hamas Responds to Witkoff

What is the future of the Gaza ceasefire talks after Israel and the United States withdrew their delegations, citing what they described as Hamas’ intransigence?

In a statement issued Thursday evening, Hamas expressed surprise at the remarks made by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who claimed that the movement had no desire to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Hamas affirmed its commitment to continue negotiations aimed at reaching a potential agreement.

The movement stated it was “keen to complete the negotiations and engage in a manner that contributes to overcoming obstacles and achieving a permanent ceasefire.” It also noted that mediators had welcomed its “constructive and positive” stance in the ongoing talks.

Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced the recall of its delegation from Doha for consultations. Soon after, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff also confirmed the withdrawal of the American delegation — in language that implied the total collapse of negotiations.

On the social media platform X, Witkoff said: “We have decided to bring our team back from Doha for consultations following Hamas‘ latest response, which clearly demonstrates its unwillingness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”

He added, “Despite the tremendous efforts of the mediators, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.”

He went on to say, “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and to try to establish a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”

Witkoff concluded: “It is unfortunate that Hamas would act so selfishly. We remain committed to ending this conflict and achieving lasting peace in Gaza.”

Witkoff’s language appeared to shut the door entirely on the negotiations, although some Israeli sources interpreted his statement as a final attempt to pressure Hamas into accepting the mediators’ proposal.

His tone stood in stark contrast to that of Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, who has been mediating between Hamas and the U.S. administration in Qatar.

In a recent Facebook post, Bahbah stated: “Hamas submitted its response this morning to the Israeli proposal regarding redeployment and prisoner exchange. The response was realistic and positive. Now it’s up to Israel to engage in serious and swift negotiations to reach a ceasefire. Everyone is waiting for relief. The people of Gaza have endured immense suffering, destruction, and hunger.”

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, an Israeli official said that the Hamas delegation once again raised the issue of the “keys to the deal”, demanding the release of 200 Palestinian security prisoners, in addition to around 2,000 detainees from Gaza arrested after October 7 — numbers far exceeding the mediators’ proposal, which included the release of 120 security prisoners and 1,200 detainees from Gaza.

The same source revealed that “for the first time in the negotiations, Hamas is demanding the release of elite operatives who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack as part of the hostage release and ceasefire deal.”

Hamas did not provide a list of names, but initially requested the number and category of prisoners to be released — including elite fighters, those serving life sentences, and similar profiles.

Israel estimates it is holding hundreds of elite Hamas operatives involved in the October 7 attack.

Regarding Israeli army withdrawals during a potential ceasefire, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated:

Northern Gaza Strip: a pullback of 1 kilometer from the border fence.
Eastern Gaza: a 1-kilometer withdrawal from unpopulated areas and 800 meters from populated zones.
Southern Gaza Strip: a pullback of 1.2 kilometers in uninhabited regions and 700 meters in populated areas.