World

Hamas Wants US To Pressure Israel For Permanent Gaza Ceasefire

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a truce and hostage release deal to end the Gaza war was still possible, capping off a Middle East tour as deadly violence raged the Palestinian territories.

Lebanon’s Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a Hamas supporter, launched rockets on northern Israel, a day after an Israeli attack killed one of its senior commanders.

Blinken, who was in Doha for the final stop of a tour to push President Joe Biden’s Gaza ceasefire roadmap, stated that the US would engage with regional allies to close the deal.

Hamas submitted its answer to mediators Qatar and Egypt late Tuesday, and Blinken stated that some of the proposed amendments are workable and some are not.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, stated that the group wants a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, demands Israel refused.

The UN Security Council and Arab nations have accepted a three-stage plan, that involves a six-week ceasefire, a hostage exchange, and international support for Gaza’s rehabilitation.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated, “Many of Hamas’s demands were minor and not unanticipated, while others differ more substantively from what was outlined in the UN Security Council resolution”.

Blinken went on to say that Israel supported the plan, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government includes far-right members strongly opposed to the deal, has yet to officially endorse it.

Netanyahu’s office stated that he would have a security assessment on Wednesday in light of the developments in the north and Hamas’s negative response on the issue of the hostage release.

Blinken expressed hopes that gaps might be filled.

“We have to see… over the course of the coming days whether those gaps are bridgeable”, Blinken continued.

Early Thursday, Hamas urged Blinken in a statement to put direct pressure on Israel.

“He continues to talk about Israel’s agreement of the latest (ceasefire) proposal, but we have not heard any Israeli official speak out on this”, Hamas noted.

Also read: US Federal Reserve Maintains Interest Rates

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Tata International Faces ₹800 Crore Bond Redemption Over Mounting Financial Pressure

Tata International braces for ₹800 crore bond redemption in December, risking higher financing costs and…

5 hours ago

Allahabad High Court Orders Removal Of Encroachments From Public Roads And Land

Allahabad High Court directs strict action against encroachments on public roads and land, holding negligent…

5 hours ago

India Eyes Washington: Key Trade Talks Ahead

India & US advance trade talks, focusing on energy, defence, technology and climate cooperation.

6 hours ago

PM Modi Welcomes Release Of Israeli Hostages; Applauds Trump’s Peace Diplomacy

PM Modi hails release of Israeli hostages, praises Trump’s peace efforts, and reaffirms India’s support…

6 hours ago

Chandrababu Naidu Meets PM Modi; Invites Him For ‘Super GST – Super Savings’ And CII Partnership Summit

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu meets PM Modi, congratulates him, and invites him to GST…

7 hours ago

Allahabad HC Stays Criminal Case Against Irfan Solanki

Allahabad High Court stays criminal case against Irfan Solanki in land grabbing, extortion matter.

7 hours ago