Hamas Claims: We Have Shown Enough 'Positivity' to Reach an Agreement

The extremist Islamist group Hamas claimed on June 13 that it has shown the necessary 'positivity' throughout the negotiation stages to reach a 'comprehensive and acceptable agreement based on the just demands of the Palestinians.' According to CNN, Hamas reiterated its previous demands in a statement, which include a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, the return of refugees, reconstruction, and a serious agreement for prisoner exchange. Hamas claimed that while it has expressed its 'positive position' regarding the content of the U.S. President's plan, Netanyahu's government continues 'genocide' and has attacked the proposal presented by Biden, which contradicts Israel's claim of agreement with the content of Biden's speech. In its statement, Hamas also added: 'While Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, says he continues to work for Israel's agreement to Biden's proposal, we have seen no Israeli official speak about this agreement.' Hamas further urged Blinken and the Biden administration to exert more pressure on the Israeli government. In this statement, Hamas accused the U.S. Secretary of State of attempting to absolve Israel of 'its crimes against innocent children, women, and the elderly,' stating that this effort aligns with U.S. policy in participating in the 'brutal war against the Palestinian people.' Earlier, the Kan network reported, citing a mediator country official, that one of Hamas's requested changes in the ceasefire and hostage release agreement is that China, Russia, and Turkey act as guarantors for any agreement reached with Israel. According to this report, other desired reforms by Hamas include updating the timeline for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday that some of the changes requested by Hamas are impractical and will not be accepted. Blinken previously expressed doubt about Hamas's 'good faith' in ceasefire negotiations, stating that Hamas has made changes in response to the latest proposed plan that 'go beyond their previous positions.' The ongoing war in Gaza began after Hamas's sudden attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages by Palestinian militants on October 6. A press conference by the U.S. Secretary of State and the Prime Minister of Qatar regarding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took place. Shahram Khalidi reported that senior Hamas commanders are acting cowardly in the Gaza war. Blinken stated in a press conference with the Prime Minister of Qatar that Hamas has delayed the ceasefire. Ghassan Ashour remarked that Israel and Hamas must compromise and accept the Security Council resolution for a ceasefire. A Greek cargo ship was targeted by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. 170 rockets were fired into northern Israel; Hezbollah Lebanon stated it will retaliate for the killing of its commander. A former CENTCOM commander told Voice of America that Iranian drones and missiles have been useful for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Joe Biden's focus at the G7 summit is on countering China's excess capacity and using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.