According to the US, it is assessing Hamas’ response to the most recent plan for a truce in Gaza and a deal to free the hostages.
Although the Palestinian armed organization stated that it was prepared to “deal positively” with the process, it emphasized that Israel must consent to an ongoing truce.
Although an unnamed Israeli official claimed that Hamas’s statement amounted to a rejection, the Israeli government has not responded.
In the meantime, the US secretary of state is traveling to Qatar, which is serving as a mediator with the US and Egypt, in an effort to forward the proposal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “reaffirmed his commitment” to the agreement, according to Antony Blinken, who also said that Hamas would bear responsibility if there was no advancement.
When he presented the plan 12 days ago, US President Joe Biden said that Israel had offered it, although Mr. Netanyahu has not publicly endorsed it.
A brief statement confirmed that Hamas had offered an official response to the most recent ceasefire proposal, which has garnered international support and was adopted by the UN Security Council on Monday.
This reaffirmed the call for the complete departure of Israeli forces from Palestinian territory and what Hamas described as “a complete halt of the ongoing aggression against Gaza.”
Izzat al-Rishq, a Hamas representative, described the reaction as “responsible, serious and positive” and claimed it created “a wide pathway” for a deal.
The office of the Israeli prime minister refrained from providing an official response.
