Hamas Official: US Not a Serious Mediator, Silent on Netanyahu’s Rejection of Ceasefire
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Hamas official Osama Hamdan says the United States is still unqualified to act as a serious mediator in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hamdan said, “The US administration remains in a position that does not qualify it to be a credible mediator.”
He criticized Washington’s silence in the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal. “We haven’t heard a single clear US statement condemning Netanyahu’s rejection of the ceasefire offer in the past four weeks,” Hamdan added.
He also stressed that Israel has made no progress toward a ceasefire in the last month. “We are working with mediators to end the aggression and open the crossings,” he added. “But as long as the aggression continues, the resistance will continue too.”
Hamdan said Hamas had submitted a complete vision for a comprehensive deal. “We are keen to reach an agreement that ends the assault on our people,” he said. “But Netanyahu keeps using the blood of our people to blackmail everyone.”
The Hamas official called for international recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. “The Palestinian people must be granted their right to a sovereign state.”
US President Donald Trump came to Netanyahu’s defense in a post on Sunday. He claimed that the lawsuit against Netanyahu is “terrible.
Trump described Netanyahu’s trial as a political attack, similar to the one he claims he is facing in the US. He also described the the ICC-wanted Israeli Prime Minister as a hero.
According to a report by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper, Trump’s statement was pre-coordinated with Netanyahu. The article, written by military analyst Amos Harel, says Netanyahu is trying to link ending the Gaza genocide and the release of Israeli prisoners to stopping his corruption trial without paying the political price of admitting guilt.
The report says Netanyahu is using his alliance with Trump and recent attacks on Iran to pressure Israel’s judiciary. His goal, according to the paper, is to shut down the trial without conviction while continuing to delay any prisoner deal.
