Hamas discards proposed truce agreement
The Israeli government, as per US President Joe Biden, appears to be taking a step back from a potential ceasefire agreement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip conflict. The US leader referred to this as Hamas showing "retreat." According to Biden, Israel is optimistic about finding a solution, but Hamas seems to be backing down from the negotiations.
During a "constructive meeting" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that Israel had agreed to the latest compromise proposal for a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Blinken stated, "He [Netanyahu] supports it. Now it's up to Hamas to do the same."
A new compromise proposal from the US, Egypt, and Qatar was presented to Israel and Hamas a few days prior. In a subsequent joint statement, it was stated that the proposal helped bridge "remaining gaps."
Despite the optimistic statements from the mediators, Hamas, who did not participate in the talks in Doha, has refuted the claims of an impending agreement. They labeled such promises as an "illusion" and instead viewed it as a "dictate" imposed by the Americans.
Blinken will be continuing his journey to Egypt in the morning and is expected to visit Qatar next. Blinken is hopeful for a swift resolution in the negotiations resumed in Doha on Thursday and Friday and set to continue in Cairo later in the week.
Joe Biden expressed his concern over Hamas's apparent retreat from the ceasefire negotiations, stating that Israel is optimistic about finding a solution. Despite this, Hamas, as per their statement, views the proposed agreement as an "illusion" and a "dictate" imposed by the Americans.
