DOHA, Qatar. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday that Hamas has suggested numerous changes to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal with Israel in Gaza. However, Hamas has firmly denied introducing any new ideas.
During a press conference in Doha, Blinken stated that some of the proposed changes from Hamas were deemed unworkable, although mediators remain focused on bridging the differences. “Our aim is to bring this process to a conclusion. Our view is that the time for haggling is over,” emphasized White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan, speaking to pan-Arab Al-Araby TV, refuted Blinken’s claims, maintaining that it is Israel rejecting the proposals. He accused the U.S. administration of siding with its close ally, Israel. “We have not heard any Israeli official confirm this acceptance,” Hamdan asserted.
Despite these conflicting statements, two Egyptian security sources informed Reuters that Hamas seeks written guarantees from the U.S. on the ceasefire plan. In a statement released on Wednesday, Hamas expressed its “positivity” in the negotiations, urging the U.S. to pressure Israel into agreeing to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, full withdrawal from the enclave, reconstruction, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Sullivan mentioned that many of Hamas’ proposed changes were minor and expected, while others significantly diverged from the U.N. Security Council resolution passed on Monday. This resolution backed the ceasefire plan put forward by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31.
Biden’s proposal outlines a truce and a phased release of Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, aiming ultimately for a permanent end to the conflict.
At a joint press conference with Qatar’s Prime Minister in Doha, Blinken highlighted that some of Hamas’ counter-proposals sought to alter terms previously accepted in earlier negotiations. The ongoing discussions underscore the complexities and the urgent need for a resolution to the prolonged conflict.
This latest exchange of statements between the U.S. and Hamas underscores the challenging road ahead for achieving lasting peace in the region.
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.
