Hamas The Latest Proposal Value Of Gaza's Armistice Is Too Close To Israeli Demands

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas on Sunday said the latest proposal aimed at bridging the differences between them and Israel over the ceasefire of the conflict in the Gaza Strip was too close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent position.

Hamas' statement comes just hours after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel, in a bid to secure Gaza's ceasefire and the deal to release the hostages, dampening hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations.

Hamas received new proposals from mediators, Qatar, Egypt and the United States, after a two-day conversation in Doha last week.

Hamas said the new proposal was in line with Netanyahu, who refused to end the war and withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza, including from the border with Egypt, two conditions this group sees as the basis for any agreement.

"We consider Netanyahu fully responsible for the failure of the efforts of the mediators, the postponement of the deal, and for the lives of his detainees who were exposed to the same danger as our people because of continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip," Hamas said. August 19.

"We call on the mediators to take their responsibility and force the invaders to carry out what has been agreed upon," Hamas said, adding they were fully committed to last July's proposal.

Separately, health authorities in Gaza announced on Sunday that the death toll of Palestinians in the enclave had reached 40,099, and 92,609 others were injured, quoted from WAFA.