Hamas calls on the US to exert pressure on Israel to secure a ceasefire in Gaza
On Thursday, Hamas urged the United States to apply substantial pressure on Israel to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that no such deal was currently in progress.
The two parties have been exchanging blame for the stalled ceasefire negotiations and hostage exchange, especially following the recent deaths of six hostages from Gaza. Hamas’s chief negotiator based in Qatar, Khalil al-Hayya, called on the US to “apply genuine pressure on Netanyahu and his administration” and to “reconsider their one-sided support for Israel.”
Netanyahu responded by asserting that “there is no deal in the works,” and expressed hope that efforts would eventually lead to an agreement. He maintained that Israel must retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent weapon smuggling, a point of contention as Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal.
Hamas criticized Netanyahu’s stance, arguing that it seeks to derail any potential agreement. The group asserts that a truce, previously discussed with President Biden, is already in place and decries Netanyahu’s negotiation tactics as attempts to extend the conflict.
The US has been pushing a proposal that it believes could bridge the gaps between the conflicting parties, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken noting that “90 percent of the issues have been agreed upon.” Blinken emphasized the necessity for both sides to resolve the remaining disagreements.
In Israel, protesters have accused Netanyahu of failing to make necessary concessions, leading to the deaths of hostages. Gil Dickmann, a relative of one of the deceased hostages, joined a Tel Aviv rally demanding action.
Key mediator Qatar criticized Israel’s approach as deceptive and detrimental to peace efforts. The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,205 fatalities, including hostages, while 251 hostages were taken, with 97 still in Gaza, according to Israeli figures.
Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza has resulted in at least 40,878 deaths, predominantly among women and children. Recent airstrikes in Gaza City and the West Bank have continued, with notable casualties reported. The Israeli military has also been targeting Palestinian militants in the West Bank, including airstrikes that have caused further casualties.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has led to a polio outbreak, the World Health Organization has initiated a large-scale vaccination campaign, although challenges remain in reaching all children due to the ongoing conflict.
