Hamas criticises US Secretary of State's ceasefire statement

Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan has criticised US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to an updated ceasefire and hostage release proposal.

Hamdan contended that Blinken’s remarks "raise many ambiguities" and do not align with the terms presented or agreed upon, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

He emphasised that Hamas has informed mediators that there is no need for new ceasefire negotiations, but rather an agreement on an implementation mechanism. Hamdan also noted that Yahya Sinwar, who recently succeeded Ismail Haniyeh as head of Hamas' political bureau, has always been involved in the decision-making process regarding the Gaza ceasefire talks. Despite security challenges, communication with Sinwar remains effective, Hamdan added.

Hamdan’s comments followed Blinken's statement to reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the ceasefire deal proposed by the US last week and that the next step is to confirm Hamas's acceptance. Blinken stressed the urgency of finalizing the deal, highlighting the US commitment to completing it.

On August 18, Hamas officially rejected the proposal for a hostage release and ceasefire agreement presented at the Doha summit in Qatar.