Hamas ‘surprised’ by Witkoff rejection of its response, insists it’s still committed to making a deal

Hamas says it is “surprised” by US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s statement that rejected the terror group’s response to the latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal proposal.

Hamas insists in a statement that it has engaged constructively in the negotiations and submitted a response that was well-received by other mediators.

Hours earlier, Witkoff issued his own statement in which he declared that the US had decided to recall its negotiating team from Doha due to Hamas’s response, “which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”

“We are surprised by the negative statements made by US envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the movement’s position at a time when the mediators welcomed and expressed their satisfaction with [our] constructive and positive stance that opens the door to reaching a comprehensive agreement,” Hamas says in its statement.

The group says it remains committed to reaching a ceasefire agreement is working to overcome remaining obstacles.

A source involved in the mediation effort told The Times of Israel shortly before Witkoff’s statement that while Hamas’s response included a number of reservations to the latest hostage deal proposal, the gaps were still bridgeable.