Rival parties at odds over Gaza truce progress as Blinken visits Israel
Top US diplomat on 9th trip to region aims to secure deal that could help avert wider war
Dubai: Israel and Hamas are at odds over the progress of ceasefire talks in Gaza, with top US diplomat Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday.
Blinken’s visit aims to secure a deal that could help avert a wider regional conflict. Despite two days of talks in Doha and reports of progress from US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators, Hamas has dismissed the optimism of a near deal as “an illusion.”
Israel voiced cautious optimism about prospects for a ceasefire after high-level talks with mediators over a new US proposal, placing the onus on Hamas to drop objections.
But Hamas political bureau member Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP: “We are not facing a deal or real negotiations, but rather the imposing of American diktats.”
A framework proposal, laid out by President Joe Biden in late May and later endorsed by the UN Security Council, aims to freeze fighting for an initial six weeks.
The stakes have heightened following the late July killings of Iran-backed militant leaders, including Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh.
In contrast, Jordan, hostage supporters in Israel, and Hamas have urged pressure on Netanyahu to facilitate reaching an agreement.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
