Hamas awaits US response to ceasefire demands, reiterates conditions for truce

Hamas has reiterated its key conditions for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and is now awaiting a formal response from the United States, according to the group’s official representative in Iran, Khaled al-Qaddumi.

Speaking to Iranian television, al-Qaddumi emphasised that the conditions set by Hamas are humanitarian in nature and widely supported across the international community, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

“The United States claims to be a nation committed to peace. If they truly want peace, then they should act to stop the war,” he said. “Any proposal — whether from the Americans or any other party — that does not meet four essential conditions is unacceptable. These include a complete cessation of the war and what he described as ‘genocide,’ the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the reopening of border checkpoints, and the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

“These are not merely Hamas’ demands,” al-Qaddumi added, “but basic humanitarian requirements that the global community supports. We are currently awaiting a response from the United States.”

Al-Qaddumi warned that the conflict has reached a critical juncture, claiming that the Palestinian people, Hamas, and much of the world stand united against Israel, which he described as being backed “openly” by the United States.

“We are living through an extremely dangerous and critical phase. At the international level, especially within the United Nations, we are seeing increasing diplomatic isolation of both Israel and the United States. But the question remains: what has this isolation accomplished? The genocide continues,” he said.

On June 4, the United States vetoed a draft resolution in the UN Security Council calling for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza. The US was the only country among the 15 council members to vote against the measure; the other 14 members voted in favour.

The draft resolution, which was not conditioned on the release of hostages, also expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and called for the “immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid deliveries.”

The resolution expressed support for ceasefire efforts led by the Trump administration, Egypt, and Qatar, and demanded the “immediate, dignified, and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.”

Following the US veto, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed gratitude to Washington for its continued support.

“I thank President Trump and the US administration for standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel and vetoing this one-sided resolution in the UN Security Council,” Sa’ar wrote on X. “The proposed resolution only serves to strengthen Hamas and undermines the ongoing American efforts to secure a deal for the release of hostages.”

This marks the first instance of the United States exercising its veto power over a Gaza-related resolution during the second Trump administration.

In late May, Hamas announced that it had reached a preliminary agreement with US special envoy Steve Witkoff concerning Gaza. The terms of the deal reportedly include the release of ten Israeli hostages and the transfer of the remains of 18 individuals in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, under the supervision of mediating parties.

The framework also includes provisions for a ceasefire, though certain elements of the agreement remain unresolved between the parties.

Hamas initially abducted 251 individuals during its October attack on Israel. Of these, 55 hostages remain in captivity, 33 of whom are believed to be deceased.

By Tamilla Hasanova