Hamas has said it has submitted its response to a US-backed proposal for a ceasefire deal in Gaza, rejecting Israeli claims that it had dismissed the plan outright, but stating that it still seeks a “guarantee” of a permanent ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid.

Basem Naim, head of Hamas’s political and international relations, told Al Jazeera English that the version of the proposal discussed with Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, differed from the one ultimately presented to the group.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, has criticised Hamas’s reply as “totally unacceptable”, claiming it “only takes us backward”.

Israel echoed Witkoff’s stance. A statement from the Prime Minister’s office said: “While Israel has agreed to the updated Witkoff framework for the release of our hostages, Hamas persists in its refusal.”

Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir commented that enough opportunities had been missed, and it was time to intervene militarily to destroy Hamas.

Under the proposed agreement, Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and return the bodies of 18 others, in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Meanwhile, President Trump spent Sunday in Washington, D.C., with no public events scheduled.

Al Hazeera.