Palestinian children attending class in a tent school in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. EPA
Palestinian children attending class in a tent school in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. EPA
Palestinian children attending class in a tent school in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. EPA
Palestinian children attending class in a tent school in the Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza. EPA

Hamas blames Israel and US over stalemate in Gaza ceasefire negotiations


Hamza Hendawi
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

Hamas on Thursday said it had responded positively to the ceasefire proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden and blamed Israel for the apparent stalemate in efforts to bring the Gaza war to an end.

The Palestinian militant group also accused US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of seeking to exonerate Israel from responsibility for the lack of progress during negotiations.

It said comments made by Mr Blinken show that the US is complicit in “the brutal war of genocide against our Palestinian people" and said Washington was allowing the "occupation to continue its crime with full US political and military cover”.

Hamas on Tuesday gave its response to President Biden’s proposals, via Qatari and Egyptian mediators, effectively rejecting them without a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The proposals envisage a six-week ceasefire, a prisoner and hostage swap between Israel and Hamas as well as the reconstruction of Gaza and a flow of adequate humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave battered by eight months of war.

Palestinians on the move following an Israeli miltary operation at Al Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. EPA
Palestinians on the move following an Israeli miltary operation at Al Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. EPA

The two sides, according to the plan, are supposed to use that six-week period to negotiate an agreement on the second phase, which Mr Biden said would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza.

The temporary ceasefire would become permanent, but only if the two sides agree on the details.

Hamas, according to sources with direct knowlege of the negtiations, is concerned that Israel will resume military operations in Gaza once all hostages are freed.

Thursday’s Hamas statement made no mention of the changes the group wants to see in the proposals before accepting it. It said it had “expressed its positive position” on Mr Biden’s plan and pointed out that Israel has yet to officially state its position, despite US assertions that it had agreed to the plan.

“While Blinken continues to talk about Israel’s approval of the latest proposals, we haven’t heard any Israeli official voicing approval,” said the Hamas statement.

The statement came just a few hours after US National security adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back against assertions that Israel is not fully committed to the proposals.

“Israel has supplied this proposal. It has been sitting on the table for some time. Israel has not contradicted or walked that back,” Mr Sullivan said in Italy, where Mr Biden is attending the annual Group of Seven leaders’ summit.

“To this day they stand behind the proposal,” he said. “I don’t think that there is a contradiction in the Israeli position.”

A Palestinian walks among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Reuters
A Palestinian walks among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Reuters

Mr Sullivan repeated that Hamas had responded by offering an amended proposal and said that the objective remains “to figure out how we work to bridge the remaining gaps and get to a deal.

“The goal is to try to bring this to a conclusion as rapidly as possible.”

In Doha on Wednesday, Mr Blinken blamed Hamas for the stalemate, saying some of the changes to the proposals it suggested could work while others were not workable.

The US and fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar, he said, will press ahead to bridge gaps between the group and Israel.

“Hamas could have answered with a single word: Yes,” he told a news conference in the Qatari capital, the final step of a four-nation Middle East tour that also saw him visit Egypt, Israel and Jordan.

It was his eighth tour of the region since the Gaza war broke out in October.

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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
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Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
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• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
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• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
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Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
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Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

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Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.

Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.

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After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.

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Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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Updated: June 13, 2024, 2:28 PM`