CAIRO, Egypt: Palestinian group Hamas has urged mediators to focus on implementing past agreements rather than engaging in new negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire, raising uncertainty over its participation in a scheduled meeting on August 15.
Leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar had called for Israel and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in either Cairo or Doha, but Hamas now suggests it may not attend.
In a statement, Hamas called on mediators to enforce the terms of a July 2, 2024 agreement based on President Joe Biden’s vision and a UN Security Council resolution, rather than pursue further negotiations.
The group accused Israel of using talks to delay and continue its offensive against Palestinians, citing the alleged assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as evidence of Israel’s lack of commitment to peace.
The Biden administration had proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan on May 31, but efforts to broker a deal have faced numerous setbacks. Tensions have escalated with the recent deaths of both Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, leading to heightened threats of retaliation against Israel. The conflict, which began after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths mostly women and children and 1,200 Israeli fatalities, mostly civilians.
