Washington DC, May 31 -- US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, called Hamas' response to the proposed ceasefire deal with Israel "totally unacceptable" and stated that it "only takes us backward."

As reported by CNN, Hamas has responded to the Gaza ceasefire plan put forward by the US. In a statement, Hamas said that its "proposal" to the mediators - Qatar and Egypt -- "aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip."

"As part of this agreement, 10 living Israeli prisoners held by the resistance will be released, in addition to the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian pris...