US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP
"Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not," a statement from the office of President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and the US National Security Council said.
"Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes," it said, adding that Trump had already vowed Hamas would "pay a severe price" for not freeing captives.
Hamas said earlier on Friday its leadership received a proposal from mediators yesterday to resume negotiations, adding that "the proposal was dealt with responsibly and positively."
The group submitted its response early this morning, saying it was ready to free an Israeli-American captive and the remains of four others, stressing its "full readiness" to begin talks and reach a comprehensive agreement on issues surrounding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement it has with Israel.
The group also called on Israel to hold responsibility, stating, "We call for the occupation to be held to its full commitments."
Witkoff presented a "bridge" proposal in Qatar on Wednesday to extend the first phase of the truce to mid-April if Hamas releases living captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The revised proposal was presented alongside Egyptian and Qatari mediators. However, it is not yet clear how many Palestinian prisoners will be released in return.
"Hamas was told in no uncertain terms that this 'bridge' would have to be implemented soon -- and that dual US-Israeli citizen Edan Alexander would have to be released immediately," the statement said.
"Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire," it alleged.
Since the first phase of the ceasefire expired on 1 March, Hamas has pushed for immediate negotiations on the second phase, while Israel and the US have sought an extension of the first phase to avert talks on a permanent end to the war.
Following the expiration of the ceasefire, Israel renewed its deadly blockade on the Gaza Strip on 2 March, followed by cutting off the territory’s electricity supply.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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