Dr Mike Evans

Blinken confirms Hamas rejects ceasefire, hostage deal By Dr Mike Evans

Hamas has rejected a proposal for a limited ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation in the Middle East in a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday.

During the call, Blinken emphasized that Hamas had again refused to release even a small number of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Gaza. He also underscored the need to establish a path for post-conflict governance, security, and reconstruction.

Egypt had offered a limited ceasefire plan that did not require the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and proposed the release of about four hostages. This initiative was intended to resume stalled ceasefire negotiations involving hostage releases.

Another proposal, discussed last week by U.S., Israeli, and Qatari officials in Doha, called for a 30-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of a larger group of 11-14 hostages, mainly women and children.

Sources close to Hamas indicated that the group would not consider any deal unless it included the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also suggested last week that Hamas had not accepted Egypt’s ceasefire proposal, and his office clarified that Israel would have agreed to such a deal if Hamas had accepted it.

Blinken’s comments are the first clear indication that Hamas is the party unwilling to move forward with the proposal, revealing its insistence on the full withdrawal of Israeli troops as a condition for any ceasefire or hostage release deal.

The U.S. has been involved in prolonged negotiations, though reports suggest Hamas has shown little interest in striking a deal. Some sources, including Indian news outlet Republic World, have noted that the U.S. has been eager to secure an agreement before the elections.

The potential for a ceasefire deal, especially one involving the withdrawal of Israeli troops, remains a contentious issue within Israel. Tensions have also risen following the recent arrest of suspects accused of leaking classified documents to the foreign press, allegedly to sway Israeli public opinion toward a tougher stance in negotiations.