Sources: 
Efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a snag as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for delaying progress amid mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Hamas announced readiness to bimmediately resume indirect negotiations for a truce after talks stalled, but the group rejected the latest US ceasefire proposal, calling for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
"Hamas has responded to the latest US-proposed ceasefire with demands for a pathway to a permanent ceasefire, instead of a temporary one where the Israeli government could unilaterally restart hostilities as they did in March," a report noted.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff described Hamass response as
totally unacceptable and said it
only takes us backward. He urged Hamas to accept the framework proposal as a basis for proximity talks, which could begin immediately.
Netanyahu echoed Witkoffs criticism, blaming Hamas for the failure to accept the ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, mediators Qatar and Egypt have vowed to intensify efforts to broker peace in the war-battered Gaza Strip.
The deadlock highlights the complexities of achieving a lasting ceasefire, with Hamas demanding guarantees and a full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel and its allies push for a framework to resume talks.
"Hamas said on Sunday it is ready to immediately resume indirect negotiations for a truce in Gaza, after recent talks appeared to have stalled," signaling a willingness to engage despite the impasse.
The situation remains fragile as both sides hold firm to their positions, complicating the path to peace.
Sources: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for delaying a Gaza ceasefire amid mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US. Hamas expressed readiness to resume indirect talks but rejected the latest US proposal, demanding a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, while US envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas's response unacceptable.
