Doha, 13 June 2024 (TDI): US Secretary Antony Blinken claimed that Hamas had suggested numerous changes in the three-phase Ceasefire plan led by the Biden administration on Wednesday.
According to a report, Hamas official Hamdan denied that “Hamas had put forward a new idea”. Hamas said Israel was the one who rejected Biden’s Ceasefire proposal and accused the US administration of going along with its close ally.
White House Advisor Sullivan said, “Many of Hamas’ proposed changes were minor “and not unanticipated” while others differed more substantially from what was outlined in a UN Security Council resolution on Monday.”
Moreover, Sullivan said, “We aim to bring this process to a conclusion. Our view is that the time for haggling is over.”
During the Press Conference in Doha, Secretary Blinken said, “Some of the counter-proposals from Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, had sought to amend terms that it had accepted in previous talks.”
Secretary Blinken said, “Hamas could have answered with a single word: Yes,” “Instead, Hamas waited nearly two weeks and then proposed more changes, a number of which went beyond positions that it had previously taken and accepted.”
Secretary Blinken was on an 8th Diplomatic tour in the Middle East since war erupted on October 7th. Blinken urged the international community and world leaders to make Hamas agree on the ceasefire proposal.
Also Read: Secretary Blinken, World Leaders in Jordan to address Gaza Crisis
Hamas also welcomed the UN-adopted resolution led by Biden’s administration. That resolution was passed with 14 votes in Favor and one abstention by Russia.
Hamas’ Statement on Ceasefire Amendment
According to reports, Hamas wants a written statement from the US on the Ceasefire plan.
Moreover, Hamas added, “Stressing its “positivity” in the negotiations and urging the U.S. to pressure Israel to accept an agreement leading to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as full withdrawal from the enclave, reconstruction, and release of Palestinian prisoners.”
Additionally, Hamas said, “It had expressed its readiness to cooperate while Israel did not. Blinken’s stance was “a continuation of the American policy complicit in the brutal genocide against our Palestinian people.”
Furthermore, Hamas claimed, “The U.S. was providing political and military cover for Israel to press ahead with its assault on Gaza.”
Also Read: UNSC backed proposal outlined by Biden Administration
The US has said Israel agreed to the proposal but Israeli officials did not issue any formal statement regarding the ceasefire. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu claims that “Israel will not commit to ending its campaign before Hamas is eliminated.”
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