Gaza ceasefire prospects remain bleak, Hamas accuses Israel of complicating matters

Hamas said on August 16 that the prospects for a ceasefire in Gaza remained bleak, accusing Israel of setting new conditions that would complicate ongoing negotiations.

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome air defense system over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel. Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah-led forces in Lebanon have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border almost daily, claiming to support Hamas in Gaza. Tensions have been particularly high as the group has vowed to avenge the July 30 killing of its leader Shukr by Israel. (Source: AFP/Getty Images)

The two-day talks in the Qatari capital Doha, involving officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Israel, ended on August 16. The round of talks is expected to continue in the Egyptian capital Cairo in the coming days.

Despite positive statements from key mediators, Hamas - which did not take part in the talks in Doha - said that the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have so far made no progress.

The National News of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) quoted Mr. Walid Kilani, Hamas spokesman in Lebanon, as saying: "The information we received from the negotiations does not meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people and does not seem to have any prospects. The results so far do not reflect what was agreed in July 2024."

Mr Kilani accused Israel of imposing further conditions and trying to establish a new reality. He added that Israel continued to obstruct efforts to reach a solution, although Hamas welcomed a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Joe Biden.

Ahead of the August 15 talks, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the US administration still expects members of the Islamist Hamas movement to participate in talks on a potential ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"As you know, August 15 is the day everyone will return to the negotiating table. All negotiators should return to the negotiating table and bring this agreement to a conclusion," Jean-Pierre told reporters.

Asked if she saw any chance of progress if Hamas refused to return to the negotiating table, Jean-Pierre said: "It is time for Hamas to release the hostages, including American citizens, and bring relief to the people of Gaza under the agreement that is currently in place." The US official stressed that in Washington's view, a ceasefire in Gaza would be the best way to ease ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Islamist Hamas movement, which is not taking part in this round of talks, has insisted that any deal must "achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, including a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of displaced people to their homes".

On August 16, the US, with the support of Egypt and Qatar, presented a ceasefire proposal to "close the remaining gap" between Israel and Hamas.

In a joint statement, the US, Egypt and Qatar stressed: "The proposal, based on the points reached over the past week, is designed to close the remaining gaps to allow for the rapid implementation of the ceasefire agreement."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trien-vong-thoa-thuan-ngung-ban-o-gaza-van-am-dam-hamas-cao-buoc-israel-dang-lam-phuc-tap-them-282900.html