Hamas has called for a truce plan based on US President Joe Biden’s May 31 ceasefire proposal, as well as the framework laid out by mediators Qatar and Egypt on May 6. This comes ahead of talks proposed by the US, Egypt, and Qatar for August 15 to finalize a Gaza ceasefire and captive release deal.
The group stated that mediators should enforce the May 6 proposal on Israel instead of pursuing new negotiations or proposals that could prolong Israeli aggression. Hamas has not rejected the ceasefire talks altogether but is instead urging mediators to present the original proposal they had agreed to.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that any deal must lead to the defeat of Hamas, but Israel has agreed to send negotiators to the ceasefire meeting on August 15. Despite ongoing Israeli strikes on Gaza, Hamas remains committed to the proposal agreed to by mediators.
The recent Israeli air strike on the al-Tabin School compound, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 people, has further escalated tensions. Hamas sees this attack as evidence of Israel’s desire to escalate aggression, but the group remains committed to the truce proposal.
The upcoming talks could potentially mark a turning point in the conflict, as Hamas prepares to negotiate with Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar at the helm. However, the situation remains volatile, with each new attack threatening to derail the progress made towards a ceasefire agreement.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
