TEL AVIV: At a local time on Tuesday, CNN suggests that the Hamas response to this offer can be characterized by Israel as “a denial,” causing a blame game among these two sides, thereby casting doubts upon the hostage deal and ceasefire talks in Gaza.
According to a source cited by CNN, the document of the Palestinian organization with their proposed changes to the Israeli draft was handed over to Qatari intermediaries.
The source also added that discussions will continue via Qataris and Egyptians in coordination with Americans, hoping that they would reach an agreement.
Speaking to Lebanon-based TV Al Mayadeen after submitting a response on Tuesday, Osama Hamdan, Hamas spokesman and political bureau member said that their main aim is “to achieve a ceasefire.”
“This is our answer. We clearly reconfirm our commitment to the ceasefire and evacuation of Gaza which we’ve been keeping constantly.”-Hamdan noted further.
However, one Israeli official described Hamas’ response as “rejection” of a potential original plan during his conversation with CNN.
“Israel has delivered its reply from Hamas. In it, President Biden’s speech suggested that he did not propose any way out for hostages.”-CNN quoted one of its sources.
Leadership of Hamas denied such accusations explaining it as Israel’s intention to back out from the agreement.
Members of Hamas Political Bureau Izzat al-Rishq called late on Tuesday said,” The responses by Hamas and all other Palestinian factions regarding this truce initiative were responsible ones. They meet demands from popular resistances and usher in opportunities for making up.”
He continued: “Hamas’s reaction against Israeli mass media is another way about how unwilling they are in fulfilling conditions put forth under this agreement.”
This occurred soon after US Secretary Antony Blinken visited Middle East trying to make sure there exists an understanding between two sides on what President Joe Biden had first released in his proposal.
The full version of this plan authored by Israel has not yet been made available. This six week truce, approved by the UN Security Council on Monday, is supposed to be followed by Hamas releasing hostages and Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners that should eventually translate into a lasting cessation of violence through negotiations, CNN reports.
Despite objections from Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, the White House has insisted that it is an Israeli plan and frequently said “Israel has accepted it.”
In one short statement earlier on Tuesday, Israel indicated it was preparing to formally sign up to the plan – but in the same statement also planned to retain “the right to continue fighting.”
The US-sponsored suggestion currently under consideration was supported by a brief statement from an Israeli government representative.
Israel will only stop fighting when all targets are achieved: destruction of Hamas’s military and administrative capacity; liberation of all captives; and Gaza becomes permanently innocuous unto Israel as stated in a brief announcement by some Israeli Official.
“Israel must realize these objectives and they are represented in proposal.”-declared this source for his country.
Nevertheless, there were no such Netanyahu’s standard promises about ‘total victory’ or ‘eradication’ of Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Israeli leader is caught between conflicting voices in his country. A group holds that a ceasefire agreement would be the best way to secure the release of 120 hostages who are still held by Hamas militants in Gaza which is contrary to what his extreme right coalition partners want who insist on continuing with the war, CNN reported.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Miniter Itamar Ben Gvir have both threatened to collapse the government if Netanyahu agrees to the deal in its current form.
On the contrary, senior opposition figures like one-time war cabinet member Benny Gantz, and opposition leader Yair Lapid have also been among those urging Netanyahu to embrace the US-backed plan.
Hamas too has been under pressure to get on board with the US-backed proposal. Last week, it expressed its concern that Israel might not go through with the second phase of the plan – a permanent end to hostilities.
“If there is no clear position (from Israel) on preparation for a permanent truce and complete withdrawal from Gaza Strip such could provide an opportunity for concluding an agreement… then it will not be possible” warned Osama Hamdan last week- Hamas spokesman and political bureau member.
