Hamas has expressed surprise and frustration after what it described as an initial U.S. approval of a ceasefire proposal was abruptly withdrawn following Israeli lobbying in Washington.

Hamas Details Three-Point Proposal

A senior Hamas official told CNN that the group submitted a proposal through Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah to Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The offer included three main conditions:

• Immediate release of hostages and 60-day ceasefire,
• U.S.-guaranteed negotiations for permanent truce and a halt to hostilities,
• Israeli military withdrawal to pre-March 2 lines.

Another source confirmed the authenticity of these points.

'We Were Shocked'

The Hamas official said Bahbah had communicated U.S. approval “two or three times,” only for that to change dramatically after Israeli Minister Ron Dermer’s visit to Washington. “We were shocked,” the official said, adding that Hamas was ready to release all hostages in one day under solid guarantees.

Hamas member Bassem Naim also criticized the current deal as one-sided, saying it “prolongs occupation and famine” and does not meet the Palestinian people's demands, especially ending the war.