On Sunday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas requested mediators to present a plan based on previous discussions rather than engaging in new negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire deal. This move casts doubt on their participation in a Thursday meeting organized by mediators.
Last week, the leaders of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar encouraged Israel and Hamas to meet on August 15 in either Cairo or Doha to finalize a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Israel stated it would send negotiators to attend the meeting. Initially, Hamas said it was considering the offer, but it has now suggested it might not join the new round of talks.
In a statement, Hamas called on mediators to implement the agreement reached on July 2, 2024, based on President Joe Biden's vision and a UN Security Council resolution. They urged mediators to enforce this on Israel instead of pursuing further negotiations or new proposals that could allow Israel to continue its actions in Gaza.
Hamas claimed to have shown flexibility during the negotiation process, but cited Israeli actions, including what they alleged was the assassination of their leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, as evidence that Israel is not serious about pursuing a ceasefire. Israel has not confirmed or denied responsibility for the assassination.
President Joe Biden proposed a three-phase ceasefire plan in a speech on May 31. Since then, Washington and regional mediators have tried to arrange a ceasefire-for-hostages deal but have faced ongoing challenges.
The risk of a broader Middle East conflict has increased following the killings of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, both of which led to threats of retaliation against Israel.
Israel initiated its offensive on Gaza after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Since then, the Gaza health ministry reports that nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive.