Hamas Critiques US Role in Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations, Urges Permanent Resolution

In a significant development in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Hamas has voiced strong criticism of the United States' role in ceasefire negotiations. The group accused Washington of "merely buying time for Israel to continue its genocide" through its proposed amended accord. Hamas emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must result in a permanent end to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The group revealed details of Israel's new conditions and called for international pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Osama Hamdan, a spokesperson for Hamas, expressed these sentiments to Al Jazeera on Monday. He stated, "The Israelis have retreated from issues included in Biden's proposal. Netanyahu's talk about agreeing to an updated proposal indicates that the US administration has failed to convince him to accept the previous agreement." This statement came in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's assertion of a "very constructive meeting" with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, where the Israeli Prime Minister reportedly confirmed Israel's acceptance of the bridging proposal.

Blinken underscored the critical nature of the current moment, describing it as "probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the [Israeli] hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security." The urgency of the situation was further highlighted by the Israeli military's announcement on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of six captives from Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

The latest US proposal, presented after recent talks in Qatar's capital, Doha, has been met with skepticism from Hamas. The group contends that the new proposal aligns with Netanyahu's conditions, including his refusal of a ceasefire, opposition to a complete troop withdrawal from Gaza, and insistence on maintaining control of strategic areas such as the Netzarim Corridor, the Rafah border crossing, and the Philadelphi Corridor bordering Egypt.

As diplomatic efforts intensify, Blinken has embarked on a regional tour, meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in El Alamein before heading to Doha for talks with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Egypt and Qatar continue to play crucial roles alongside the US in brokering a truce in the 10-month Gaza conflict.

The framework proposed by the Biden administration envisions a six-week freeze in fighting. During this period, Israeli captives would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, accompanied by an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Netanyahu has indicated that negotiators aim to "release a maximum number of living hostages" in the initial phase of any ceasefire agreement.

The human cost of the conflict remains staggering. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, at least 40,173 people have been killed and 92,857 wounded in Israel's military campaign. On the Israeli side, an estimated 1,139 people lost their lives during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with more than 200 taken captive.

As negotiations continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could end the devastating violence and pave the way for lasting peace in the region. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevail over the cycle of violence that has gripped Gaza and Israel for far too long.

The complexity of the situation, with multiple stakeholders and competing interests, underscores the challenges facing negotiators. As Hamas calls for a permanent resolution and Israel seeks security guarantees, finding common ground remains a formidable task. The role of international mediators, particularly the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, will be pivotal in bridging the gaps between the parties and fostering an environment conducive to a lasting ceasefire.

As the world awaits the outcome of these high-stakes negotiations, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, making the need for a resolution more urgent with each passing day. The international community's ability to facilitate a peaceful resolution to this protracted conflict will not only determine the immediate fate of those caught in the crossfire but also shape the future of regional stability in the Middle East.