U.S. support to Israel obstructing Gaza cease-fire: Hamas official
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the U.S. supports Israel's stance against a cease-fire, reflecting Washington's lack of seriousness in stopping Tel Aviv's attacks on Gaza.
Zuhri told Anadolu that the U.S. isn't serious about pressuring Israel to agree to a Gaza cease-fire, noting that Israel keeps imposing new conditions with U.S. backing.
He stated that the delays in achieving a cease-fire and a prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza are due to this situation.
"Hamas accepted the proposal from Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. mediators on July 2, but Israel imposed new conditions, despite it being based on principles outlined in President Joe Biden's speech and UN Security Council resolutions," he added.
Regarding Hamas' stance, Zuhri said: "We reaffirmed our commitment to the proposal announced on July 2 and are waiting for a plan to implement this agreement."
Addressing the future of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, he added: "There is a genocidal war being waged by the occupier in the Gaza Strip. All international parties must fulfill their responsibilities to stop these attacks and crimes."
"We joined these negotiations to secure a cease-fire, but the occupying Israel misunderstood Hamas' participation and continues its genocidal war in Gaza," said Zuhri.
He emphasized that the ball is now in the Israeli and the U.S. court, stating: "If the U.S. administration truly wants an agreement, it should pressure Israel to halt its attacks on the Palestinian people and adhere to previous agreements."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, claimed that the cease-fire draft presented by Biden differed from Israel's proposal and demanded new conditions.
Netanyahu demanded continued Israeli control over the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors, as well as the Rafah border crossing, and insisted on blocking Hamas members from moving north within Gaza.
Condemning Israeli crimes in Palestine, Zuhri stated: "We will protect the Palestinian people and resist the occupier in all circumstances."