US slams Hamas reply to ceasefire deal, says hostage release offer ‘takes us backward’

US slams Hamas reply to ceasefire deal, says hostage release offer ‘takes us backward’

The Palestinian group said in a statement that under the deal, it will release ten living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Israel’s release of a number of Palestinian prisoners, comments in line with Witkoff’s proposal.

Demonstrators set fire to placards during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages held captive since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants, in front of the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on May 31, 2025. – AFP