Hamas delivered its answer to Egyptian-Qatari mediators, demanding an Israeli withdrawal, mass terrorist releases, and sweeping aid concessions—sparking fierce backlash from Israeli leaders and hostage families who warn against a “disastrous surrender.”
This evening (Monday), Israel received Hamas’s official response to the latest ceasefire framework brokered by Egypt and Qatar—a deal that combines territorial concessions, sweeping prisoner releases, and major humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza.
According to a senior Palestinian Arab official who spoke to Hezbollah-linked Al-Mayadeen, Hamas’s counterproposal includes:
- IDF withdrawal up to one kilometer from northern and eastern Gaza—excluding Al-Shujaiya and Beit Lahia.
- Release of 10 living Israeli hostages in exchange for 140 terrorists serving life sentences and another 60 with sentences over 15 years.
- Changes to IDF deployment maps in northern and eastern Gaza.
- Immediate large-scale humanitarian aid, including fuel, water, electricity, medical supplies, bakery rehabilitation, and debris removal equipment, distributed by the UN, Red Crescent, and international bodies.
- Reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions.
- Prisoner-body exchange formula: for every body of an Israeli hostage returned, Israel would hand over 10 terrorist bodies.
Trump: “Hostages Will Only Return When Hamas is Destroyed”
The Hamas reply comes just hours after US President Donald Trump reiterated his uncompromising stance:
“We will see the return of the remaining hostages only when Hamas is confronted and destroyed—the sooner that happens, the higher the chances of success.”
Backlash in Israel: ‘Disaster and Disgrace’
The proposal triggered an immediate political and public storm inside Israel.
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir blasted the idea:
“If Netanyahu surrenders to Hamas and halts the war, it will be a disaster for generations… You have no mandate to accept a partial deal and not defeat Hamas.” - Families of hostages from the Tikvah Forum were equally scathing:
“Disgrace. Hamas toyed with us for months. Israel must not surrender again. The U.S. President understands what must be done—why doesn’t the Prime Minister?”
The Stakes
The response places Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a political crossroads—between international mediation efforts and rising internal pressure to reject any partial deal that leaves Hamas intact. With Hamas demanding sweeping concessions, Israel faces a fateful decision: accept a fragile ceasefire, or press forward for total victory.
