Hamas stated that it has rejected the “new conditions” proposed in a Gaza ceasefire plan during talks in Qatar led by the US.
Efforts to end the suffering caused by over 10 months of conflict have not yet been successful, but US President Joe Biden remains optimistic about progress and is sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel to push for the latest proposal.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been working to finalize a framework initially outlined by Biden in May, which was reportedly proposed by Israel.
A joint statement from the mediators mentioned a proposal that addresses remaining differences and a commitment to continue negotiations on humanitarian issues and a potential prisoners swap.
Talks are scheduled to resume in Cairo before the end of the following week with the goal of reaching a swift agreement.
Although Hamas did not participate in the talks in Doha, they promptly declared their opposition to what they described as new conditions imposed by Israel in the latest plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged mediators to pressure Hamas to accept Biden’s proposed framework.
Concerns of potential attacks on Israel from Iran and its proxies have heightened the urgency to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement to prevent a broader regional conflict.
Biden warned against actions that could undermine the negotiation process and expressed optimism about resolving the remaining issues.
– Potential Consequences –
An informed source revealed that Hamas objected to conditions related to maintaining Israeli troops near Gaza’s border with Egypt and terms concerning the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages.
Meanwhile, Jordan held Netanyahu responsible for obstructing a deal, calling for pressure from all parties involved to reach a resolution. British and French diplomats also engaged in discussions in Israel to push for an agreement.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed expectations for foreign support in response to any retaliation from Iran for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
However, diplomatic efforts to prevent any potential attack were prioritized over discussions about retaliation responses.
A senior US official warned of severe consequences for Iran if an attack on Israel were to occur.
An attack by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Thursday led to international condemnation and calls for sanctions against those responsible, amid escalating violence against Palestinians since the Gaza conflict began.
The attack, described as “organised state terrorism” by Palestinian officials, prompted EU diplomats to propose sanctions against Israeli government officials implicated in settler violence.
– Disease Outbreak –
The Gaza conflict initiated by Hamas in October resulted in significant casualties and extensive damage. The retaliatory actions by Israel have led to a devastating toll on the healthcare system in Gaza.
Unvaccinated children are now at risk, as Gaza reported its first polio case in 25 years, prompting urgent calls for vaccination campaigns to prevent a potential outbreak.
As truce talks continue, thousands of civilians in Gaza are facing evacuation orders ahead of expected military operations, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The UN has expressed concerns over the forced displacements and called for an urgent resolution to the ongoing conflict. The situation remains tense as negotiations aim to secure a lasting ceasefire agreement.
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