U.S. says Hamas refuses cease-fire terms, seeks changes

A Palestinian walks among the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's military offensive in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. Wire photo

by DAPHNE PSALEDAKIS, EMMA FARGE AND NIDAL AL-MUGHRABI
June 13, 2024

GENEVA – Hamas has proposed numerous changes, some unworkable, to a U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire with Israel in Gaza, but mediators are determined to close the gaps, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan denied that the Palestinian Islamist group had put forward new ideas.

Speaking to pan-Arab Al-Araby TV, he reiterated Hamas' stance that it was Israel that was rejecting proposals and accused the U.S. administration of going along with its close ally.