In response to reports from Israeli media about potential negotiations for a renewed truce in Gaza, Hamas official Osama Hamdan has confirmed that “There is no need for new negotiations, but to agree on Biden proposal, instead.”
He made the remarks during a phone interview with Al Jazeera Arabic on Saturday, asserting that the priority should be Israel’s immediate withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the cessation of all acts of aggression.
“We do not need new negotiations,” he said, adding that Hamas has already agreed to a ceasefire proposal that Israel has rejected.
“There is no guarantee that it [Israel] will accept new proposals to go to negotiations … If there are no serious guarantees, this means giving Israel more time to continue the aggression,” he added.
Earlier this month, Hamas approved a proposal for a ceasefire in the seven-month Gaza war put forward by mediators Qatar and Egypt although Israel said the proposal falls short of its demands.
Saturday, according to Israeli media, officials involved in the negotiations said the Israeli government intended to renew talks for a Gaza captive release deal the in coming days, after a meeting with mediators in Paris.
According to the reports, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea had agreed to a new framework for the stalled negotiations with mediators — CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The new offer was drafted by the Israeli negotiating team and contains possible solutions to points of disagreement in previous discussions.
Defence ministry officials believe that even if Israel agrees to a temporary ceasefire, it will be able to return to war again when needed after months.
Hamas has insisted that it is not willing to accept only a temporary ceasefire, but that an end to the fighting has to be permanent.
Israeli army’s commander Gallant confirmed that Israel was the one behind sabotaging previous prospects of deals.
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