A Hamas official involved in ceasefire talks with Israel told Turkish Foreign Ministry officials that the US might be sincere in its efforts to secure a ceasefire, according to Arab media.
Due to security concerns in the region and the upcoming presidential elections, the US may genuinely be trying to secure a cease-fire agreement.
However, the official emphasised on Tuesday that the US was not pressuring Israel and was instead offering overly “optimistic” reports. He also said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was constantly “introducing new conditions,” especially regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah border crossing.
Every time we go back to square one, and a new process starts. With this approach, we are losing hope for a cease-fire.
The Hamas official noted that negotiations were currently centred on the corridor, the crossing, and the exchange of prisoners. He also emphasised the dire situation in Gaza, where people “cannot find food and medicine.”
The US warned that it would continue talks for another two weeks but would withdraw from the talks “if no agreement is reached.”
