Blamed, Hamas angrily says US is "biased"; Israel declares it is almost "finished"

On September 10, Hamas rejected US accusations that the movement was the main obstacle to achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, calling it “a bias” in favor of Israel's position.

Senior Hamas political leader Izzat al-Rishq. (Source: INN)

At a press conference at the White House on September 9, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Hamas had made new demands in the negotiations, making it more difficult to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Hamas senior political leader Izzat al-Rishq issued a press release affirming that Mr. Kirby's comments were "baseless," Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the Islamist movement official, the US administration believes that “blaming Hamas is less costly given the country’s elections,” adding: “The world knows that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the one who has set new conditions and demands, not us.”

These are the latest developments amid stalled talks brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Despite objections from Egypt and Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu has kept Israeli forces in the Philadelphia Corridor, a 100-meter-wide, 14-kilometer-long buffer zone along the Egypt-Gaza border that has been controlled by the Israeli military since May.

Meanwhile, on the same day, September 10, Reuters news agency quoted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as saying that the country's army was about to complete its mission in Gaza and shift its focus to the northern border, where daily clashes with Hezbollah are taking place.

“While we pursue an agreement, I have directed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to prepare for all scenarios, including shifting its focus to the northern theater,” Gallant added.

The official stressed the commitment to "changing the security situation on the northern front and bringing Israeli citizens home safely."

Israel has previously asserted its priority of resolving the conflict with a deal that would push Hezbollah forces back from its borders.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/xung-dot-o-gaza-bi-do-loi-hamas-noi-gian-noi-my-thien-vi-israel-tuyen-bo-sap-xong-viec-285783.html