Accusations have emerged from the United States, claiming that Hamas is obstructing ceasefire negotiations with Israel by altering its demands and expressing a desire for a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. According to Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, Hamas has repeatedly shifted its negotiating positions, despite Israel’s willingness to address some of their initial demands. Hamas recently rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal presented in Cairo, Egypt, and reportedly countered with a proposal involving an end to hostilities in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages in subsequent phases of an agreement. Meanwhile, the ceasefire talks remain deadlocked due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. In a separate development, the United Nations has condemned the discovery of mass graves near two hospitals in Gaza, expressing concerns about potential human rights violations. Ravina Shamdasani, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted that some of the bodies had their hands tied, indicating potential violations of international law. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has denied any involvement in the mass graves, dismissing the allegations as baseless. The Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with the stated goal of eliminating Hamas following the group’s attack on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis.
Hamas Accused of Stalling Ceasefire Talks, Seeking ‘Full-Scale Regional War’
