CAIRO: Hamas has said that a new proposal meant to bridge the gaps between the group and Israel over a Gaza truce are too close to Israeli Prime Minister’s recent positions. Hamas’ remarks came only hours following US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel in a bid to secure a Gaza truce and captives release agreement, dimming hopes for an imminent breakthrough in talks.
Hamas has received the new proposal from mediators, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, after a two-day round of talks in Doha, Qatar.
It stated that the new proposal was aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who declines to end the war and withdraw Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, including from the border with Egypt, two conditions the group sees as the basis for any deal.
“We hold Netanyahu completely responsible for thwarting the mediators’ efforts, delaying the deal, 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 Gaza,” Hamas stated.
“We call on the mediators to assume their responsibilities and force the occupation to implement what was agreed upon,” Hamas said, saying that it was completely committed to the last July proposal.
