Washington: The United States envoy to the Middle East has criticized the Palestinian resistance group Hamas for its response to a US-proposed ceasefire deal. Despite Hamas's offer to release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased individuals from Gaza, the envoy deemed their response inadequate. According to Kuwait News Agency, Steve Witkoff, the US envoy, expressed his dissatisfaction on the social media platform X. He stated, "It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward." Witkoff urged Hamas to accept the proposed framework, emphasizing that it could serve as a foundation for proximity talks, which could commence in the upcoming week. Witkoff further elaborated on the urgency of the situation, asserting that acceptance of the proposal is the only pathway to securing a 60-day ceasefire deal. This agreement would facilitate the return of half of the living hostages and half of the deceased to their families.
