CAIRO. Palestinian militant group Hamas has cast doubt on its participation in upcoming ceasefire talks for Gaza, requesting that mediators present a plan based on previous agreements rather than engaging in new negotiations. This comes ahead of a scheduled meeting on August 15, called by leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.
The proposed talks, set to take place in either Cairo or Doha, aim to finalize a Gaza ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages. While Israel has confirmed it will send negotiators, Hamas has expressed reservations about the new round of discussions.
Hamas stated, “The movement calls on the mediators to present a plan to implement what was agreed upon by the movement on July 2, 2024, based on (President Joe) Biden’s vision and the UN Security Council resolution.” The group criticized the mediators for pursuing additional negotiations, arguing that such efforts could “provide cover for the occupation’s aggression and grant it more time to continue its genocide against our people.”
The militant group also expressed frustration with Israeli actions, including the alleged assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month—a claim Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.
President Joe Biden’s three-phase ceasefire proposal, outlined on May 31, has faced numerous challenges in its implementation. Efforts to broker a ceasefire-for-hostages deal have encountered persistent obstacles.
Recent developments have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, particularly following the killings of Hamas leader Haniyeh and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr, which have triggered threats of retaliation against Israel.
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In response, Israeli airstrikes have claimed nearly 40,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
