Dubai. Hamas on Tuesday dismissed as “misleading” a comment by US President Joe Biden that the Palestinian group is backtracking on a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel.
Responding to questions about a ceasefire agreement, Biden said, “Israel says they can do a deal, they’re prepared. But I’m told Hamas is backing out.”
As he boarded a plane after delivering a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, he added: “It remains to be seen. We’re going to keep pushing.”
Hamas said Biden’s remarks did not reflect the true position of the movement, which says it has been eager to reach a cessation of hostilities.
“The proposal that was recently presented to us goes against what the parties had agreed on July 2. This is seen as an American response and acquiescence to the new conditions of the terrorist Netanyahu and his criminal plans towards the Gaza Strip,” Hamas added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his ninth trip to the region since the war began, expressed optimism after meeting with Israeli officials on Monday.
On Tuesday, Blinken was in Cairo pushing for areas of possible progress on a ceasefire and hostage release deal at talks scheduled for later this week, with major areas of dispute still unresolved.
Washington has put forward bridging proposals that the mediating countries – Qatar and Egypt, as well as the United States – believe would bridge the gap between Israel and Haas and end hostilities that have destabilised the entire region.
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– 2024-08-23 15:56:54
