Hamas Rejects New Ceasefire Proposal, Citing Alignment with Netanyahu’s Positions

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced on Sunday that a new proposal aimed at bridging the gaps between Israel and Hamas over a Gaza ceasefire was too closely aligned with the positions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement from Hamas came just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel in an effort to secure a ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The proposal, which was presented to Hamas by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States following two days of talks in Doha, was swiftly rejected by the group. Hamas criticized the proposal for reflecting Netanyahu’s refusal to end the war and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza, particularly from key areas such as the border with Egypt—conditions that Hamas views as essential for any agreement.

In a statement, Hamas claimed that the proposal “responds to Netanyahu’s conditions, especially his rejection of a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim junction, the Rafah crossing, and the Philadelphi corridor.”

Hamas placed the blame for the stalled negotiations squarely on Netanyahu, accusing him of thwarting the efforts of the mediators and delaying the agreement. The group also expressed concern for the safety of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, stating that they are “exposed to the same danger as our people due to his ongoing aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip.”

The militant group urged the mediators to pressure Israel into implementing what had been previously agreed upon, reaffirming its commitment to an earlier proposal made in July.

As the situation in Gaza remains tense, with ongoing hostilities and humanitarian concerns, the latest developments indicate a continued impasse in efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and resolution to the conflict.