The tone is rising in behind-the-scenes ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following allegations by a Palestinian official that the US special envoy, Steve Whitcoff, had backtracked on his earlier consent to amendments to his proposal for a temporary ceasefire.

The official, speaking to the Times of Israel, claimed that Whitcoff had informed the Hamas leadership through mediators that he accepted the modifications the Palestinian organization had made to the ceasefire plan it had submitted. This, according to the same source, led to a series of reports earlier in the day that Hamas had accepted the US proposal.

However, Whitcoff reportedly then changed his stance, informing the mediators that Hamas’ terms were not acceptable.

Steve Whitcoff categorically denied the Palestinian official’s claims, telling the same newspaper that he never accepted Hamas’ changes.

He even referred to his earlier statement to the Axios news network, in which he stressed that Hamas’ claims that it had accepted the ceasefire proposal were not true.

“What I have seen from Hamas is disappointing and totally unacceptable, said Whitcoff. “Israel will agree to a temporary ceasefire and a hostage release agreement that includes the return of half the living and half the dead and paves the way for a meaningful discussion aimed at a permanent ceasefire. This proposal is still on the table. Hamas must accept it.”

Stalemate in negotiations

According to an Israeli source who spoke to Haaretz, negotiations remain at an impasse as“both sides are entrenched in their positions.”

Hamas, the source said, is insisting on guarantees that the temporary ceasefire will lead to a permanent end to the war. For its part, Israel is demanding the complete disarmament of the organization, the exile of its leaders and its exclusion from any participation in the future administration of the Gaza Strip.

The diplomatic thriller continues as international pressure mounts for a deal that would allow the release of hostages, the entry of humanitarian aid and a de-escalation of the conflict that has raged for months.