U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Qatar on Wednesday, a key mediator, for talks as Hamas responded to a ceasefire proposal put forth by Washington. Blinken, who is on a tour of four Middle Eastern countries aimed at pushing Hamas to accept a truce proposal, will meet with the Qatari leadership, which has conveyed messages to the armed Palestinian movement.
Hamas proposed amendments late Tuesday in response to the plan presented by President Joe Biden on May 31, which includes a timeline for a ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The White House confirmed that the United States is "reviewing" the movement's official response.
Blinken is scheduled to meet in Doha with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar's Foreign Minister. Biden's plan initially calls for an immediate ceasefire for six weeks, the release of prisoners in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza.
Biden seeks to end the war that has caused heavy civilian casualties and shifted parts of his Democratic base against him just months before elections. Blinken confirmed on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "reaffirmed his commitment" to the ceasefire plan, even though his government, which includes members of the far-right, has not formally endorsed it.
Blinken added, "We are waiting for a response from Hamas," indicating that the movement is waiting for instructions from its political bureau chief in Gaza, Yehya Sinwar. Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv, "Are they waiting for someone who may now be safe or buried, I don’t know, ten floors underground somewhere in Gaza, while the people he claims to represent are still suffering in the gunfire that he himself was behind."
