Hamas rejects new cease-fire proposal, blames Netanyahu

On a Sunday, the Palestinian group Hamas responded to a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, stating it closely mirrored Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent stance. This reaction came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's arrival in Israel, aimed at negotiating a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, which dampened hopes for a swift resolution.

Hamas received this updated proposal from mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States after two days of discussions in Doha. In its statement, Hamas asserted that the new proposition was in accordance with Netanyahu's position, who reportedly refused to halt the conflict and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, including the border with Egypt. According to Hamas, these two conditions are fundamental for any agreement.

Hamas's Position

The statement from Hamas reflected its frustration with Netanyahu's stance, holding him accountable for impeding the mediators' efforts, postponing the agreement, and for the jeopardy faced by both hostages and the Palestinian people due to his continuous aggression and systematic targeting of all facets of life in the Gaza Strip. The group emphasized that it fully adheres to the prior July proposal, urging the mediators to fulfill their responsibilities and pressure the Israeli side to implement what had been agreed upon.

This latest development in the Israel-Hamas conflict indicates a significant impasse in reaching a ceasefire agreement, with both sides entrenched in their positions. The international mediators will have to navigate these complexities to foster dialogue and hopefully pave the way for a resolution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved, including the immediate cessation of violence and the relinquishment of hostages.