Hamas Slams US Lies, Blames Israel for Derailing Gaza Ceasefire – World news

Hamas on Thursday dismissed comments by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who accused the Palestinian resistance group of derailing ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

In a statement, Hamas said it has shown “full responsibility and flexibility” during the talks and remains committed to reaching an agreement to end Israel’s aggression.

The movement emphasized its determination to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in the besieged enclave and facilitate the success of mediation initiatives.

“Hamas submitted its final response after extensive consultations and constructively addressed all observations, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the success of mediation efforts,” the group said.

It added that Witkoff’s remarks were not only false but also contradicted the assessments of mediators, who reportedly praised Hamas’s positive approach.

Witkoff, however, announced a US withdrawal from the talks in Doha, accusing Hamas of bad faith.

“We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after Hamas’s latest response, which clearly indicates a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,” he posted on social media.

Hamas responded by reiterating that any ceasefire must guarantee a complete halt to Israeli aggression and ensure tangible relief for Gaza’s civilian population.

The resistance group stressed that the Israeli regime remains the primary obstacle to peace, as it refuses to meet key conditions for a sustainable ceasefire, including full withdrawal and the flow of humanitarian aid.

Despite Tel Aviv’s attempts to portray Hamas as intransigent, the facts on the ground show the regime’s clear intention to prolong the bloodshed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed it had received Hamas’s latest response via mediators but gave no indication of a genuine willingness to compromise.

Ceasefire proposals under discussion include a prisoner exchange. Out of 251 captives taken on October 7, 2023, Israel claims that 49 remain in Gaza and believes 27 are dead.

Still, Israel demands the complete dismantling of Hamas’s political and military structures while continuing its scorched-earth campaign in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas insists on a permanent truce, Israeli withdrawal, and unfettered access for humanitarian aid.

Tel Aviv’s claim of accepting Qatari and US proposals is contradicted by its ongoing military escalation and refusal to meet ceasefire guarantees.

Global condemnation of Israel continues to grow.

As of this week, 28 countries, including several Western states, have signed a joint statement demanding an immediate end to the war and slamming Israel for blocking critical aid to Gaza.

“The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,” the July 21 statement read. “The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity.”

Signatories include Australia, France, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and now Greece, Malta, and Cyprus.

They urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and allow sufficient aid into Gaza — a demand Tel Aviv continues to ignore.