Hamas: "Ceasefire Talks Back to Square One"... US: "We Will Find Common Ground"

Hamas "Occupying Forces Reject Ceasefire Proposal"
US "No Signs of Large-Scale Israeli Operation"

Palestinian armed group Hamas announced that the ceasefire negotiations to end the Gaza Strip war have returned to square one.

On the 10th (local time), according to AFP and other sources, Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, said on Al Arabiya TV, "The occupying forces (Israel) rejected the mediator's ceasefire proposal, causing the negotiations to return to square one," adding, "It is the occupying forces (Israel), not Hamas, who turned their back on the mediator's proposal."

He stated, "Considering the actions of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who rejected the mediation proposal, continued attacks on Rafah, and took control of the checkpoint, we will hold a consultative meeting with other Palestinian faction leaders to review our negotiation strategy."

The mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have been continuing ceasefire talks in Cairo, Egypt, since the 7th but have failed to reach an agreement.

Earlier, Hamas had announced on the 6th that it would accept the ceasefire proposal prepared by the mediators. It is known to include the phrase "efforts to achieve sustainable calm." Hamas interpreted this as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, while Israel viewed it as a demand for ceasefire and withdrawal and maintained that it could not accept it.

The United States has maintained its position to continue mediation efforts to narrow the gap between the two sides. John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Coordinator, expressed regret over the suspension of the ceasefire talks and said the U.S. believes a common ground can be found.

Kirby said he is closely monitoring the situation in Rafah and that there are no signs yet of a large-scale Israeli operation. He added, "We are clearly watching with concern," and "There have been no signs of a large-scale ground offensive in the past 24 hours, and it appears that localized fighting is occurring around the border checkpoint."

U.S. President Joe Biden has warned that if Israel proceeds with a ground offensive in Rafah, the U.S. will cut off weapons support. It is reported that about 1.4 million displaced people and others are concentrated in Rafah.

As Israel took control of the Rafah checkpoint, it has reportedly become difficult to bring in humanitarian aid supplies. UN relief agencies are concerned that aid supplies could run out within days.

Kirby also urged Israel to immediately open the checkpoint for humanitarian aid.