Osama Hamdan, a leader in Hamas, criticized U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted an updated proposal regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, saying it “raises many ambiguities” because it “is not the document presented to us and not one that Hamas agreed to.”
Hamdan revealed that Hamas had indeed confirmed to mediators that they do not need “new negotiations or new ideas, as there is a proposal we agreed upon and need to implement, which is based on (U.S. President Joe) Biden's proposal as well.”
He also stated that “communication with Sinwar has its tools and mechanisms, and certainly, security conditions have an impact on our determination to keep him safe from the enemy, but these communications take place in a smooth and satisfactory manner that achieves the goal.”
He added, “Sinwar was accompanying the negotiation process, endorsing it, and was a partner in making decisions related to it.”
Earlier on Monday, Blinken stated that Netanyahu accepted a proposal put forth by Washington aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, urging Hamas to accept it as well. He mentioned to reporters: “During a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the proposal to bridge the gaps and that he supports it.”
He added: “Now, Hamas must do the same, and then both parties, with the help of mediators – the United States, Egypt, and Qatar – should meet and finalize the process of reaching clear understandings on how to implement the commitments they made under this agreement.”
