Hamas says Biden remark about group backing away from Gaza truce deal ‘misleading’

DUBAI – Hamas said on Aug 20 that US President Joe Biden’s comment that the Palestinian group was backing away from a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel was “misleading”.

Mr Biden, responding to questions on a ceasefire deal, said: “Israel says they can work it out, they’re prepared. But I was told Hamas is now backing off.”

While boarding a plane after

giving a speech at the Democratic National Convention

in Chicago on Aug 19, he added: “It remains to be seen. We’re going to keep pushing.”

Hamas said Mr Biden’s statements do not reflect the true position of the movement, which says it has been keen to reach a cessation of hostilities.

“The proposal recently presented to us goes against what the parties had agreed on July 2. This is considered an American response and acquiescence to the terrorist Netanyahu’s new conditions and his criminal plans towards the Gaza Strip”, Hamas added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his ninth trip to the region since the war began, expressed optimism after meeting Israeli officials on Aug 19.

On Aug 20, Mr Blinken was in Cairo

pushing for areas of possible progress

on a ceasefire and hostage release deal in talks planned for later this week, with major areas of dispute still unresolved.

The United States has put forward bridging proposals that it and the other mediating countries – Qatar and Egypt – believe would close gaps between Israel and Hamas and end the hostilities that have destabilised the entire region. REUTERS