US says Hamas 'sabotaged' ceasefire plan, Palestinian group blames Israel

However, senior Hamas commander Osama Hamdan denied that the Palestinian Islamist group had come up with any new ideas. Speaking to Al-Araby TV, he reiterated Hamas' stance that it was Israel that rejected the proposals and accused the US administration of shielding its close ally.

The search for a peaceful solution for Gaza remains very complicated. Photo: Reuters

At a press conference with Qatar's prime minister in Doha, Mr. Blinken said some proposals from Hamas sought to modify terms they had accepted in previous negotiations.

“Hamas could have said yes in a single word,” Blinken said. “Instead, Hamas waited nearly two weeks and then proposed more changes, some of which went beyond the positions it had previously put forward and accepted.”

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also said that some of Hamas' proposed changes differ significantly from those outlined in a United Nations Security Council resolution on Monday supporting the plan put forward by US President Joe Biden.

“Our goal is to bring this process to a conclusion,” Mr. Sullivan told reporters. “Our view is that the time for bargaining is over.”

Late Wednesday, Hamas issued a statement stressing its “activeness” in the talks and calling on the United States to pressure Israel to accept a deal that would lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as a full withdrawal from the enclave, reconstruction and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian group said that while US officials said Israel had accepted the ceasefire proposal outlined by Biden on May 31, "we have not heard any Israeli officials confirm this acceptance."

The US says Israel has accepted its proposal, but Israel has not publicly announced it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will not commit to ending the fighting in Gaza before Hamas is eliminated.

Mr Biden's proposal would see a ceasefire and the phased release of Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel, eventually leading to a permanent end to the war.

As diplomats seek a ceasefire, Israel continues its assault across Gaza. Residents said Israel intensified its air and tank bombardment of Rafah and central Gaza on Wednesday evening, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-noi-hamas-danh-thao-ke-hoach-ngung-ban-nhom-palestine-do-loi-cho-israel-post299082.html