Hamas rejects US Gaza peace plan

Egypt and Qatar said they had received Hamas’ response to the proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden on May 31, but did not disclose its contents. Meanwhile, Israel said Hamas’ response was tantamount to a rejection.

A Hamas commander, who declined to be named, told Reuters they maintained their position that a ceasefire must lead to a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza, a full Israeli withdrawal, the reconstruction of Palestinian land and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

"We reiterate our previous position. I believe there is no big gap. The ball is now in Israel's court," the person said.

The restoration of peace in Gaza remains at a standstill. Photo: Reuters

The US says Israel has accepted its proposal, but Israel has not said so publicly. Israel has repeatedly said it will not commit to ending its campaign in Gaza before Hamas is removed.

An Israeli official said Tuesday that the country had received Hamas' response from the mediators and that Hamas "changed all the main and most significant parameters." The Israeli official said Hamas "rejected the hostage release proposal put forward by President Biden."

The United Nations Security Council on Monday backed a U.S. resolution on a Gaza peace initiative outlined by President Joe Biden. Hamas said it accepted the Security Council resolution and was ready to negotiate the details of a ceasefire.

Also on Tuesday, Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad expressed “active readiness” to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza in a joint statement on Tuesday, which some could interpret as accepting Mr Biden’s proposal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Tel Aviv to meet Israeli officials, called it a "hopeful sign" but said there was no firm conclusion.

What is more important “is the word coming from Gaza and from the Hamas leadership in Gaza. That is important and that is something we don’t have,” Mr. Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv.

Bui Huy (according to Reuters, MSN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hamas-bac-bo-ke-hoach-hoa-binh-gaza-cua-my-post298942.html