U
S. President’s Envoy Steve Vitko responded sharply to Hamas’s new reply regarding the U.S. administration’s proposal for a ceasefire in the conflict with Israel, calling it “completely unacceptable” and one that “sets us back.” This was stated by the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East in a post on social media platform X, according to a statement from Vitkoff’s office. According to the diplomatic representative, Hamas’s response, received recently, is deeply negative and demonstrates a refusal to accept the U.S. proposal aimed at unlocking the peace negotiation process. Vitkoff emphasizes that there is only one real way to achieve a lasting ceasefire — through the acceptance of the framework proposal that Washington has put forward as the basis for indirect negotiations. "We can begin these talks as early as next week if Hamas takes a step forward. This depends not only on the prospect of a 60-day ceasefire, which we have agreed upon, but also on the possibility of returning some of the hostages, finding the bodies of the deceased, and laying the groundwork for sustainable peace,” Vitkoff’s statement reads. The diplomat underscores that this document foresees not only a temporary halt to hostilities but also a systematic approach to resolving the prolonged crisis, including the exchange of hostages and bodies of the deceased, as well as conducting “indirect substantive negotiations” on a sustainable peace formula and a long-term ceasefire. What preceded this stern statement? On May 31, Hamas published its response to the ceasefire proposal that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff voiced during diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities. In this document, the terrorist organization stated that it could release ten Israeli hostages and return the bodies of 18 fallen fighters in exchange for the release of a certain number of Palestinian prisoners. At first glance, these proposals contained some compromises, but their essence and implementation methods entirely depended on the positions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The background of these agreements and diplomatic efforts is quite complex and multifaceted. According to media reports and analysts, negotiations for a compromise intensified ahead. Israel, reports suggest, is considering the possibility of implementing a ceasefire plan and hostage exchange, coordinated through diplomatic channels with the U.S. and their intermediaries. Previous reports indicated that Washington expressed hope for a swift breakthrough in negotiations, which could halt the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and restore some stability to the region. Over the past two weeks, Envoy Vitkoff has actively worked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his advisor Ron Derman, as well as through contacts with Palestinian leaders and businessmen in Palestinian territories, including Bishar Bakhbak, seeking to find common ground that could become the basis for a long-term cessation of hostilities. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized that the U.S. is close to reaching a broader agreement on a long-term ceasefire regime, as well as on the exchange of hostages and prisoners, which has become a logical continuation of Washington’s diplomatic efforts. On the world stage, hopes are rising for a rapid breakthrough in the conflict, and diplomatic moves are intensively crossing in an effort to find a resolution to a crisis that has kept the region tense for over a week. At the same time, Hamas’s rejection of the U.S. proposal casts doubt on the scenario’s prospects and again underscores the complexity and multi-layered nature of the conflict, the multifaceted solution of which requires not only political will but also significant compromises from both sides.