Osama Hamdan, a prominent leader of Hamas, has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent remarks regarding an updated proposal for a ceasefire, suggesting that the Israeli leader is obstructing efforts to reach an agreement. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hamdan pointed out that the Israeli delegation's conditions contradict previous agreements, indicating Israel's intention to continue its military operations. He called on the U.S. administration to uphold President Biden's original proposal, which Hamas has agreed to, emphasizing the need for a permanent cessation of aggression, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and the lifting of the blockade.
Hamdan also condemned the U.S. role in the negotiations, accusing Washington of merely buying time for Israeli military actions in Gaza. He highlighted the ongoing violence, with daily casualties reported, and reiterated that Hamas will not be deterred in its resistance efforts. He stated that the Al-Qassam Brigades are prepared to escalate their operations in response to the continued aggression from Israel, framing their actions as necessary to protect Palestinian civilians.
- During the interview, Hamdan expressed that Hamas has not received any confirmation from Israel regarding the acceptance of President Biden's proposal, which they had previously agreed to. He emphasized that the responsibility lies with Netanyahu to facilitate the agreement, calling for international pressure on the Israeli government to comply with the proposed terms.
- The Hamas leader also mentioned that the ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties among civilians in Gaza, with the situation described as a 'genocide.' He urged the international community to recognize the severity of the situation and take action to support the Palestinian cause.
