Conflicting narratives takeover Gaza-Israel ceasefire negotiations

Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have hit a snag, as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Hamas has proposed numerous changes to a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, some of which are deemed unworkable.

Despite these obstacles, Blinken emphasized that mediators remain committed to bridging the gaps.

In a public statement on Wednesday, Blinken indicated that while Hamas had suggested several modifications, not all were feasible within the framework of the current proposal. He assured that the focus remains on finalizing an agreement to halt hostilities.

Contradicting Blinken’s account, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan denied that the group had introduced new ideas. Speaking to Al-Araby TV, Hamdan accused Israel of rejecting proposals and claimed the U.S. administration was siding with its ally.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan provided further details, noting that many of Hamas’ proposed changes were minor and anticipated, though some diverged significantly from the U.N. Security Council resolution that endorsed President Joe Biden’s plan on Monday.

“Our aim is to bring this process to a conclusion. Our view is that the time for haggling is over,” Sullivan stated to reporters, emphasizing the urgency of finalizing the ceasefire agreement.

Adding another layer to the negotiations, two Egyptian security sources informed Reuters that Hamas is seeking written guarantees from the U.S. regarding the ceasefire plan.

Late on Wednesday, Hamas released a statement highlighting its positive stance in the negotiations and urging the U.S. to exert pressure on Israel to accept an agreement. Hamas called for a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction efforts, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.