The White House has accused Hamas of making impractical demands and delaying negotiations for the release of an Israeli-American hostage, warning that the militant group is making a “very bad bet.”
A joint statement from the US National Security Council and Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, emphasized that Hamas is well aware of the deadline for the proposed truce extension and that failing to comply would have severe consequences.
Proposed Deal and Hamas’ Response
On Wednesday, US envoy Steve Witkoff presented a “bridge” proposal in Qatar, suggesting that the first phase of the ceasefire be extended until mid-April in exchange for Hamas releasing live hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners.
Despite this, Hamas publicly claimed to be flexible but privately made impractical demands, making negotiations difficult.
US Officials Criticize Hamas’ Tactics
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed frustration over the situation, stating that all hostages should be released immediately. He strongly condemned Hamas’ actions, calling them “outrageous, ridiculous, sick, and disgusting.”
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
While negotiations continue, US officials maintain that Hamas must act quickly to secure an agreement. The Biden administration insists that delaying the deal further could have serious consequences for the ongoing ceasefire efforts.
