U.S. envoy rejects Hamas ceasefire proposal as ‘unacceptable’

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U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff rejected Hamas' latest ceasefire proposal as "totally unacceptable," urging the group to accept the U.S.-backed framework that Israel has already approved. Hamas had offered to release 10 hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while insisting on a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid. Israel accuses Hamas of stalling. Since the war began in October 2023, over 54,000 people have died in Gaza. The newly launched Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, has begun food distribution, though aid groups warn it may compromise humanitarian neutrality.