Hamas: We Didn’t Reject U.S. Proposal, We Seek Permanent Ceasefire and National Unity

Watan-On Thursday evening, Khalil Al-Hayya, head of Hamas in Gaza, said that the movement did not reject the latest proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, but rather submitted amendments to ensure a permanent ceasefire and to prevent future Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

In a televised address, Al-Hayya emphasized that Hamas is ready to immediately hand over governance in Gaza to any competent, nationally agreed-upon Palestinian body, asserting that the time has come to end internal division and unify efforts to confront the Israeli occupation and its plans.

Al-Hayya accused the Israeli government of rejecting all proposals since March, including a partial exchange and a comprehensive deal to release all hostages in exchange for ending the war. He attributed this rejection to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal and ideological motives.

He explained that the latest Witkoff proposal included the release of 10 live hostages and 18 bodies over a week, but offered no guarantees for a lasting ceasefire. Netanyahu’s repeated statements about resuming war after recovering hostages, he said, revealed the absence of genuine intent to end the aggression.

Al-Hayya also noted that Hamas had agreed to a different U.S. proposal two weeks ago, which Israel later rejected, and the mediator backtracked—proof, he said, that Israel is the primary obstacle to any effective and lasting agreement.

He further accused Israel of insisting on full control over humanitarian aid, imposing a “militarized mechanism” rejected by all international agencies for violating international humanitarian law and obstructing dignified aid delivery.

Open to New Negotiations

Al-Hayya reiterated that Hamas is open to a new round of negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire that would guarantee:

• Full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

• Lifting of the blockade

• Free flow of humanitarian aid

• A fair prisoner exchange deal

He declared that Gaza is fighting on behalf of the entire Ummah (Muslim world) amid global silence:

“The world has failed our people, leaving them to face daily massacres while issuing statements that do nothing to stop the bloodshed.”

Al-Hayya harshly criticized the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council against a ceasefire resolution, saying continued U.S. political and military support for Israel encourages more massacres, as seen recently in Rafah.

He saluted international solidarity protests and the “heroes of sea and land” risking their lives to break the Gaza blockade, describing them as a beacon of hope amid international complicity.

Ongoing Resistance and Broader Battle

On the ground, Al-Hayya affirmed that the resistance will continue its duty to repel aggression, asserting that Hamas leadership is no more valuable than any Palestinian life, and the movement fully assumes its responsibilities—from relief and media to politics.

He sent messages of support to Palestinians in the West Bank and 1948 territories, urging them to escalate popular resistance against settlements and Judaization projects, stressing:

“This is a battle for existence, not just borders or political disagreement.”

He warned that what is happening in Gaza is only the beginning of a broader ethnic cleansing plan, including the West Bank, 1948-occupied territories, and even refugee camps in the diaspora. He called for a unified Palestinian and Arab position to foil this scheme.

Final Message and Eid Greeting

Al-Hayya praised “truthful brothers in Yemen” for continuing to launch missile strikes against Israel despite ongoing hardships, saying it reflects the growing scope of genuine solidarity with Gaza and its resistance.

He concluded by congratulating the Muslim world on Eid al-Adha, affirming that Gaza has sacrificed itself for the Ummah and its holy sites, and calling for political, popular, and military support proportionate to the sacrifices of the people of Gaza.