Talks in Doha: Hamas Rejects US Proposal as Pro-Israeli, US Official Praises Progress

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has rejected a new US peace proposal, claiming it favors Israel and fails to meet the conditions set by Hamas. Meanwhile, a US official has praised the ongoing talks in Doha as “constructive.”

Hamas: US Proposal Unacceptable

A Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group has determined that Israel “does not want an agreement” after being briefed on the results of the Doha talks. The official accused Israel of “adding new conditions to obstruct the agreement.”

Hamas emphasized its commitment to the terms agreed upon on July 2, which were based on US President Joe Biden’s announcement and a UN Security Council resolution. The group urged mediators to pressure Israel to comply with the agreed-upon terms.

US Official: Doha Talks Productive

In contrast to Hamas’s claims, a senior Biden administration official described the ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations in Doha as “very productive” and “the most constructive” in recent months. The official expressed optimism that an agreement is within reach.

The official noted that Qatar’s Emir, US President Biden, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are in agreement that the talks are reaching a conclusion and that any remaining gaps need to be bridged.

According to the official, the last two days of talks in Doha have seen significant progress, and a final proposal has been drafted to address outstanding issues. The official characterized the current situation as the “best chance in months” for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The official also acknowledged that discussions on the Philadelphia Corridor are progressing and that Egypt and other parties are involved in arrangements for the corridor.

The US official stressed the importance of finalizing the agreement within the next week.