US Special Envoy Rejects Hamas's Claims on Hostage Releases and Ceasefire Proposals

US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, dismissed Hamas's claim on Friday that it would release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander and the remains of four other American hostages. In a joint statement with the US National Security Council, Witkoff emphasized that Hamas’s actions are not in line with its claims of flexibility in negotiations, highlighting the organization's demand for an impractical permanent ceasefire.

"Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not," Witkoff stated, reiterating that the US and Israel would respond accordingly if the deadline for resolving the issue passes. Witkoff's statement came after Hamas's latest public declarations, which were seen as attempts to manipulate the ongoing negotiations.

The US has proposed a "bridge" plan aimed at extending the ceasefire in Gaza through April, beyond Ramadan and Passover, to allow time for a more permanent cessation of hostilities. This plan would facilitate the release of both living and deceased hostages. However, Hamas's offer to release only American hostages is seen as an attempt to sabotage negotiations and manipulate the situation, according to Israeli officials.

A US statement highlighted that through intermediaries in Qatar and Egypt, Hamas was clearly informed that the "bridge" plan must be implemented soon, with a demand for the immediate release of Edan Alexander. The release of American hostages, without addressing the broader issue of all hostages, was rejected by officials as insufficient.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed the need for a comprehensive deal, stressing that the return of any hostage, whether dead or alive, must be a first step toward securing the release of all hostages. They expressed their gratitude for the Trump administration's commitment to bringing hostages home, yet criticized the Israeli government's delay in holding a cabinet meeting until after Shabbat.

"The hostage families apologize for interrupting your Shabbat, but their loved ones do not have time to wait," the forum stated. "24 more hours in captivity amount to 24 more hours of torture and torment, and 24 hours of risking their deaths."

On Saturday evening, the Prime Minister's Office announced that Israel is demanding that Hamas return 11 live hostages, including Alexander, in exchange for continuing the Gaza ceasefire. This demand comes after Hamas submitted an annex that would amend the ceasefire terms from January 17, with the goal of continuing negotiations. However, the annex proposed by Hamas includes several demands that Israel has not yet agreed to, signaling a tense deadlock in the talks.

According to sources, Hamas' annex includes requests for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, as well as a range of humanitarian measures for the Gaza Strip. These measures include the rehabilitation of Gaza’s infrastructure, such as communications, electricity, water, sanitation, and roads. Hamas also demands the continuation of humanitarian aid and the operation of UN agencies in Gaza. Furthermore, Hamas has requested a pause on all military activities within the enclave.

In return for the extension of the ceasefire, Israel is demanding the release of 16 hostage bodies, including that of Edan Alexander, alongside the bodies of four other dual-national hostages. Once these hostages and remains are returned, Israel is prepared to release Palestinian prisoners, although the exact number and individuals have not been fully agreed upon.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Israel has offered to release 120 prisoners serving life sentences, 1,110 prisoners arrested during the Israel-Hamas war, and the remains of 160 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in exchange for the return of Israeli hostages.