Despite acceptance from the United Nations (UN), leadership for the terror organization Hamas has rejected the Biden administration’s proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal with Israel aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to two Israeli sources who spoke to Axios on Tuesday, the proposal was designed to bring an end to the fighting and facilitate the return of Jewish hostages.
Foreign Desk News reports The White House measure, which received the endorsement of the United Nations Security Council on Monday, outlined a three-phase program:
1. End the fighting in the coastal enclave of Gaza.
2. Return Jewish captives to their families.
3. Release several hundred Palestinian security prisoners currently held by Israel.
The specific conditions that led to Hamas’s rejection of the proposal remain unclear. A spokesperson for the terror group, speaking to Al Mayadeen, indicated that their response included several unresolved issues. However, detailed objections were not provided by the Israeli sources.
Despite the setback, mediation efforts are ongoing. Officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have been actively working as intermediaries, expressed their commitment to continue seeking a resolution to the eight-month-long conflict. Their statement underscored the persistence of diplomatic channels in addressing the crisis.
U.S. National Security Spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that American negotiators have received comments from Hamas and are currently evaluating them. The administration’s engagement with both allies and regional players underscores the complexity and urgency of the situation.
In a bid to further the peace efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. These discussions focused on the latest developments and the potential paths forward to resolve the conflict.