Hamas views Israel ceasefire proposal ‘positively’

Hamas welcomed US President Joe Biden’s call on Friday for Israel and the group to agree to a three-phased hostage deal leading to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas views positively what was included in US President Joe Biden’s speech today,” the group said in a statement.

On Friday, Biden called on Israel and Hamas to accept a three-phase deal which includes the release of hostages in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, a permanent ceasefire, and an exchange of prisoners.

The proposal Biden outlined in great detail appeared nearly identical to the one Hamas agreed to in early May. The main exception appeared to be no reference to the complete lifting of Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

US media reports suggested that the US opposed the former agreement Hamas accepted just before the Rafah invasion, but Middle East Eye reported that CIA director Bill Burns, who has led the US negotiating team, reviewed the deal and that the US had backed the agreement. 

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Hamas views Israel ceasefire proposal ‘positively’, group says after Biden's speech