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JERUSALEM — Qatar and Egypt have reportedly informed the United States that there is “little chance” the Palestinian group Hamas will accept the latest US-backed proposal for a Gaza cease-fire, according to Israeli media on Wednesday.
Gaza cease-fire talks in Qatar concluded last Friday with a new proposal aimed at narrowing the differences between Israel and Hamas.
The proposal, which claims to align with principles supported by US President Joe Biden, was swiftly rejected by Hamas, who argued that it reflects Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new conditions.
The Israeli public broadcaster KAN cited informed sources who said that Qatari and Egyptian mediators have cautioned Washington in recent days that Hamas is unlikely to agree to the proposal.
Although the mediators participated in Friday’s announcement, they reportedly distanced themselves from the US proposal, with the new terms being seen as overly favorable to Israel.
Hamas criticized the proposal, stating that it adheres to Netanyahu’s demands, which include the refusal of a permanent cease-fire, the continued occupation of key areas in Gaza, and new conditions for a hostage swap.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to previous agreements made in July, based on Biden’s announcements in May and a UN Security Council resolution from June.
For months, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have been engaged in efforts to broker a cease-fire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, these efforts have been hindered by Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’s demands. — Agencies
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