In discussions aimed at halting the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in, the militant group proposed several amendments to a ceasefire offer, some of which were deemed impractical by Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State.
While in Qatar’s capital, Doha, Blinken noted, “The response from Hamas included numerous amendments to the initial proposal, which had garnered global support. There are elements within their response that could be negotiated, but others are clearly not feasible,” though he refrained from delving into specifics about the proposals.
The proposed ceasefire was communicated through Egyptian and Qatari negotiators by Hamas on Tuesday. Blinken commented that the U.S. would consider Hamas’s proposals to determine if an agreement could still be reached despite existing discrepancies.
This ceasefire deal, first announced by President Joe Biden on May 31, had already been accepted by Israel, with Biden urging Hamas to follow suit. Since its announcement, the proposal has received backing from the G7 nations, several countries in the Middle East, and the United Nations.
Blinken stopped short of outright dismissing Hamas’s counter-proposals as a rejection but hinted at concerns over the group’s negotiation faith due to their continuous modifications of demands, including altering previously agreed-upon terms.
Officials from Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar have been mediating the conflict, striving for months to bring both parties to an agreement. Despite moments of near success, efforts have failed to culminate in a ceasefire, with the key issue being the nature of the deal – Hamas desires a comprehensive end to hostilities, whereas Israel insists on a temporary halt to target key Hamas figures.
The tentative agreement detailed a ceasefire to commence with a six-week period encompassing a halt in combat, the release of female Israeli captives and thousands of Palestinian detainees, a boost in humanitarian aid, and the pullback of Israeli forces from Gaza’s populated regions. The second phase would further the initial steps, aiming for a full Israeli withdrawal, though specifics remained under discussion.
Rejection of the ceasefire means the continuation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have caused considerable displacement and the threat of famine among the population. According to figures from the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 30,000 deaths, a number that remains unverified.
The deal represented a chance to pause the conflict and significantly improve humanitarian access within Gaza, but the lack of agreement from Hamas is set to prolong the hostilities.
