Hamas says new Gaza proposal too close to Israel’s demands
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A man walking past a wall displaying posters of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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CAIRO - The Palestinian group Hamas said on Aug 18 that a new proposal, meant to bridge the gaps between Israel and the Islamist armed group over a Gaza ceasefire, was too close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent positions.
Hamas’ statement came only hours after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel in a bid to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, dimming hopes for an imminent breakthrough in negotiations.
Hamas received the new proposal from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US, following a two-day round of talks in Doha.
It said that the new proposal was aligned with the stance of Mr Netanyahu, who refuses to end the war and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, including from the border with Egypt, two conditions the group sees as the basis for any agreement.
“We hold Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the mediators’ efforts, delaying the agreement, and for the lives of his prisoners who are exposed to the same danger as our people due to his ongoing aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip,” said Hamas.
“We call on the mediators to assume their responsibilities and compel the occupation to implement what was agreed upon,” Hamas said, adding that it was fully committed to the previous July proposal. REUTERS
