In a significant development amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, Hamas has announced its opposition to a newly proposed ceasefire initiative put forth by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The announcement comes after Blinken claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had accepted the U.S. ceasefire proposal during a briefing on Monday night.
Osama Hamdan, a senior leader of Hamas, took issue with the proposal’s several ambiguities during a recent interview. He stated, “The words of Netanyahu regarding an endorsement of a new proposal imply that the U.S. government failed to convince him on a ceasefire agreement. We only want the Biden proposal that we agreed upon to be executed. The Israelis have retreated on issues included in Biden’s proposal.”
Despite these tensions, Blinken expressed optimism following his discussions in Israel, stating, “Israel has accepted a plan aimed at bridging gaps between both parties, and now it is up to Hamas to agree to the ceasefire in Gaza.” However, details about the new plan have raised concerns among various groups.
Reports suggest that the new ceasefire plan lacks any provision for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in its second phase, while permanent ceasefire discussions are postponed for future negotiations. Moreover, if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s demands, the Israeli regime may resume military operations in Gaza.
The backdrop of this political impasse is sobering; over 10 months of intense fighting have resulted in more than 40,135 deaths and upwards of 92,742 injuries in Gaza. As mediating countries remain cautiously optimistic about progress towards a ceasefire, the situation remains critically volatile as humanitarian needs continue to escalate in the region.
Follow TKG on Twitter & Facebook
