Israel Mediation proposal: US government puts pressure on Hamas
The US government is putting pressure on the Islamist Hamas to follow a new mediation proposal and immediately release several hostages. The National Security Council and the office of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff warned in a written statement that Hamas must either release hostages immediately or it will "pay a high price".
14.03.2025, 19:33
SDA
Witkoff and other US representatives had recently presented an updated proposal for an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas for several weeks at a mediation meeting in the Gulf state of Qatar. According to the proposal, Hamas would have to release several live hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, including an American-Israeli dual national. In return, according to the US proposal, Israel should allow aid deliveries to Gaza again.
However, Hamas has so far only accepted this in part and initially only agreed to the release of one live hostage: the Islamist organization announced that it wanted to hand over the Israeli-American dual national, as well as four dead hostages. The Israeli government described the offer as insufficient and manipulative.
The US government also reacted with dissatisfaction: "Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to publicly profess flexibility while privately making demands that are completely impractical without a permanent ceasefire," the statement said. Hamas is counting on "time being on its side. It is not." Should the Islamist organization not comply with all demands in time, the US would "respond accordingly".
