Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on June 5, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya states the group is open to the US ceasefire proposal but seeks changes to ensure an end to the Gaza conflict.
(Reuters) -The head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said in a pre-recorded speech on Thursday the group had not rejected the latest U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Israel but demanded changes that would secure the end of the war in the enclave.
The group was ready to engage in a new round of ceasefire talks, and communication with mediating countries was ongoing, he added. The latest U.S. proposal was came via President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
"The movement (Hamas) didn't reject the Witkoff proposal, but we have demanded some remarks and improvement to ensure an end to the war," Hayya, who is also chief Hamas negotiator, said in a pre-recorded video speech.
Hayya reiterated demands for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 31, that while his government had agreed to Witkoff's outline, Hamas was continuing to reject the plan.
The proposal envisages a 60-day truce and the exchange of 28 of the 56 hostages still held in Gaza for more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, along with the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Hamas says it will only free the remaining hostages if Israel agrees to end the war, while Netanyahu vows war can only end once Hamas is disarmed and eliminated from Gaza.
(Reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, Yomna Ehab and Enas Alashray; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Khalil al-Hayya stated that Hamas did not reject the US ceasefire proposal but sought changes to ensure an end to the war.
Hamas demanded an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which Israel has rejected.
The proposal includes a 60-day truce and an exchange of hostages, with 28 of the 56 hostages in Gaza being exchanged for over 1,200 Palestinian prisoners.
Netanyahu indicated that while his government agreed to the outline, Hamas continued to reject the plan.
Hamas stated it would only release the remaining hostages if Israel agrees to end the war.
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