Hamas censures Biden’s ‘premature’ words on Gaza ceasefire

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned US President Joe Biden’s “premature” optimism that a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent.

The US president said on Monday that negotiators in Paris were “close” to clinching a deal by March 4. “My national security adviser tells me that we’re close. We’re close. We’re not done yet. My hope is, by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire,” he said.

A Hamas official said on Tuesday that Biden’s comments were "premature" and did not take into account the situation on the ground.

“The primary and main issues of the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces are not clearly stated, which delays reaching an agreement,” he told Reuters.

Media reports say Hamas has received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris which allows for a 40-day initial halt in all military operations in Gaza. The pause would potentially allow the release of 40 Israeli captives in exchange for 400 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

It also includes the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza as well as the entry of aid trucks into the besieged territory.

Hamas has reiterated that the draft document does not meet its demands. The major demands put forth by the resistance are a deal that includes a commitment for a permanent end to hostilities and a withdrawal of the regime’s troops.

Leaked draft promoted for ‘propaganda’ purposes

Separately, a senior Hamas official has accused the Biden administration of leaking a ceasefire proposal to influence the Palestinian public opinion.

Hamas says to commit to potential ICJ ceasefire ruling if Israel complies

Hamas says it will commit to a potential International Court of Justice ruling mandating a ceasefire in Gaza if the Israeli regime adheres to such a verdict too.

Osama Hamdan, the top Hamas representative in Lebanon, said on Tuesday the leaked draft is being promoted for “propaganda” purposes by the United States, Israel’s great benefactor. 

“The Paris Summit draft is an American proposal and its goal is to give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more time to prepare for a new attack,” Hamdan said.

He also accused Israel of continuing to “evade its obligations.”

Hamdan said Hamas insists on permanently ending the Israeli aggression, lifting the Israeli siege and launching a Gaza reconstruction project without Israeli restrictions before a prisoner swap.

‘Biden supporting Israel’s war of starvation’

In a statement on Monday, Hamas slammed the Biden administration for supporting the Israeli campaign in Gaza.

Hamas said the international community’s “inability and the American cover for the crime of starvation that the occupation uses as a weapon to achieve political goals is a disgrace to humanity that history will not erase, even if the American administration hides behind misleading statements about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”

“It will not absolve it of its responsibility and participation in war crimes committed against defenseless civilians.”

Sustainable truce in Israeli war on Gaza key to security conundrum in region: Iran’s UN mission

Iran says a sustainable ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip is the key to restoring security and stability in the West Asia region.

Israel’s relentless attacks over the past 24 hours have killed nearly 100 Palestinians across the besieged territory. In Gaza City, the regime’s warplanes have created a belt of fire around a school currently being used as a shelter.

The death toll from Israel’s campaign is close to 30,000. A considerably large number of the victims are women and children.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has suspended its work in Gaza for 48 hours because the Israeli military has failed to ensure the safety of its teams.

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