Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 17, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Hamas official: Optimism for ceasefire-hostage deal is ‘illusion’
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. (AP/Hatem Moussa)
Senior Hamas spokesperson Samu Abu Zuhri says optimism that a ceasefire-hostage deal will be reached soon is an “illusion.”
The Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site quotes Zuhri as saying Israel is sabotaging chances for a deal, and that Washington is backing these efforts.
“We are not on the cusp of an agreement or real negotiations, rather the imposition of American dictations,” he says.
