US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff slammed Hamas for its response to the latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “totally unacceptable” and a move that “only takes us backward.”

According to an Israeli official familiar with the details, Hamas’s response to the proposal included demands for a seven-year ceasefire, a complete IDF withdrawal from all areas of Gaza captured since March, the cancellation of the new US-supported aid distribution system in Gaza, and a return to the previous system supported by the United Nations.

“This isn’t a response — it’s a slammed door,” the official stated.

Earlier on Shabbos, Hamas announced that it submitted a response to the proposal to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Ynet quoted an Israeli official as saying that Hamas’s so-called “response” was a rejection of Witkoff’s proposal and a submission of a revised proposal with new conditions.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)