Egypt Daily News – The tensions surrounding the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip have intensified, particularly following U.S. President Joe Biden’s remarks suggesting that Hamas has withdrawn its support for an American ceasefire proposal.
In response, Hamas issued a statement refuting these claims, asserting that their position had not changed and emphasizing their commitment to previous agreements made with mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S.
Hamas criticized the latest U.S. proposal, claiming it deviated significantly from the agreements reached on July 2.
They described it as a regression from prior commitments and interpreted it as aligning with the demands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, which they consider extremist.
The movement accused the U.S. of bias toward Israel and of undermining the Palestinian cause, asserting that Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s comments effectively grant Israel a “green light” for further military actions against Palestinian civilians.
Biden’s statements—made during a press conference at Chicago airport—indicated that while the American settlement proposal remains available, Hamas is perceived to be retreating from negotiations, with Israel purportedly optimistic about reaching an agreement.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials suggested that Netanyahu is on board with the American plan, even as Hamas and Egypt criticize Israel’s insistence on maintaining control over certain territories as part of any long-term arrangement.
The dynamics between the parties remain fraught, with Hamas rejecting proposals that include strict controls on the return of displaced Palestinians and a limited ceasefire, which would not acknowledge their demands or the humanitarian crises in the region.
As the situation progresses, the potential for resolution appears tenuous as each side stands firmly by its respective positions.
