Senior Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim shared insights on the group’s initial positive response to a three-phase plan introduced by President Joe Biden on May 31. Despite this, Naim claimed Israel is intensifying its military efforts in Gaza and introducing new demands, potentially derailing negotiations that U.S. officials believed were progressing.
The conflict escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which Israeli authorities say resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and around 240 hostages, with many still unaccounted for. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that nearly 40,000 people have died in the ensuing conflict.
After a “productive meeting” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported that Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s support for a proposal from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt aimed at breaking the deadlock in negotiations. Blinken emphasized that it is now up to Hamas to agree to proceed.
However, conflicting narratives about the proposal have emerged. Naim expressed concerns that the White House has framed it primarily as an Israeli proposal. Biden’s original outline included provisions for a six-week ceasefire, the pullback of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, increased humanitarian aid, and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.
The second phase included additional detainee exchanges, a lasting ceasefire, and full withdrawal of Israeli troops, followed by an arrangement for the deceased and a reconstruction plan for Gaza.
Naim noted that Hamas welcomed Biden’s announcement and a subsequent U.N. Security Council resolution, affirming their readiness for immediate implementation back in July. However, he accused Netanyahu of disrupting these efforts with continued military actions.
Kevin Mohatt/PoolAP
Pointing to Netanyahu’s military responses to various proposals, which he characterized as further violence, Naim also criticized new conditions set by Israel concerning key border crossings and humanitarian assistance.
U.S. officials maintain that the core principles of the negotiations are understood and assure that the Israeli government seeks pressure on Hamas to agree to the outlined principles. Netanyahu’s administration has denied any new demands beyond the original parameters, stating that their military actions will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated.
In a statement from Netanyahu’s office, they clarified that their recent communication aimed to refine aspects of the proposal rather than introduce extra conditions, while Hamas had reportedly requested numerous changes.
Netanyahu expressed gratitude for U.S. support regarding Israeli security interests and emphasized the priority of releasing hostages. Naim called for international pressures on Netanyahu’s government to cease hostilities and finalize the original ceasefire agreement.