US sends ‘detailed proposal’ to Iran
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff has sent what she called “a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime.”
“It’s in their best interest to accept it,” Leavitt said without providing any more details.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X that Iran “will respond to the US proposal in line with the principles, national interests and rights of people of Iran.”
It comes as an IAEA report sent to member states on Saturday warned that Iran’s stock of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% purity needed for nuclear weapons. If enriched further, the amount would be enough for nine nuclear weapons, according to an IAEA estimate.
Israel blames Hamas for ‘continuing war’
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reacted to the ongoing talks over a ceasefire deal proposed by the United States by saying Hamas was responsible for the continuation of the war in Gaza by refusing to release hostages and disarm.
Hamas has said it was willing to release 10 living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. But the militant group reiterated demands for an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected.
Saar also criticized France and the UK for “attacking Israel.”
“If France and the UK want to reach a ceasefire – pressure should be put on Hamas that continues to say No, instead of attacking Israel, which says Yes,” Saar wrote
His statements come after President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff rejected Hamas’ call for a permanent ceasefire.
US envoy Witkoff says Hamas’ response ‘unacceptable’
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas’ response to the US-led ceasefire proposal was “totally unacceptable.”
The Palestinian militant group did not say it had accepted the proposal, but did say it was open to it, while emphasizing the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“It is totally unacceptable and only takes us backward,” Witkoff said, adding that Hamas should accept the framework proposal the US put forth, which would “begin immediately this coming week,” he added.
“That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days, in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families and in which we can have at the proximity talks substantive negotiations in good-faith to try to reach a permanent ceasefire,” Witkoff said.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/middle-east-updates-hamas-demands-permanent-end-to-gaza-war/live-72745339
