Hamas rejects 'new' Gaza truce conditions as Biden says deal closer than ever
The Hindu
Hamas rejects US ceasefire plan, as international pressure mounts for truce in Gaza amid ongoing conflict with Israel.
Hamas said on Friday (August 16, 2024) the Palestinian group rejected "new conditions" in a Gaza ceasefire plan the United States presented after two days of talks with Israeli negotiators in Qatar.
Also read:Mediators to the Gaza War cease-fire talks say the two-day talks have wrapped up
As international pressure mounted for a ceasefire after more than 10 months of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, U.S. President Joe Biden said: "We are closer than we have ever been."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to travel to Israel this weekend to advance the latest proposal, the State Department said.
"Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalise an agreement," it said.
Washington has joined its European allies in pushing for a swift ceasefire in Gaza since the July 31 killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Iran blamed on Israel prompted threats of retaliation and fears of a wider Middle East war.
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