HAMAS official: Netanyahu blocking ceasefire in Gaza
Osama Hamdan, a member of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS), has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Hamdan, while HAMAS accepted a ceasefire proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden, the US administration has failed to persuade Netanyahu to agree to it.
Hamdan suggested that Netanyahu's indication of considering a new proposal is a sign of the US administration's inability to convince him to halt the conflict. He further criticized US efforts, arguing that they are primarily aimed at buying time to continue what he described as genocide in Gaza.
"We want the implementation of Biden’s proposal that we approved," Hamdan stated, adding that although the specifics of the new proposal remain unclear, the occupation delegation is reportedly imposing conditions in Doha that contradict Biden's initial proposal.
Hamdan outlined five key points that the ceasefire agreement must include, such as the cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
He also mentioned that mediators are expected to inform US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that HAMAS remains committed to the ceasefire proposal approved on July 2. Hamdan emphasized that Netanyahu is the primary obstacle to the agreement, accusing the Israeli leadership of seeking to prolong the war. (ILKHA)