Remarks by US President Joe Biden that a ceasefire in Gaza would be possible if Hamas releases hostages held since October 7 are a “setback” to negotiations, the Palestinian terror group says in a statement.
Biden told a small fundraising event yesterday, “Israel said it’s up to Hamas; if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow.”
“We condemn this position by the US president. We consider it a setback from the outcomes of the latest round of negotiations, which led to the movement’s agreement to the proposal put forward by mediators,” the statement says.
Hamas adds that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “rushed to overturn” the last round of talks by launching an offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah.
The latest round of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas over a deal to halt fighting in the Strip and free the hostages appeared to break up with no discernible progress this week, as the terror group said it had no intention of budging from a proposal already rejected by Israel.
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