Negotiations for a cease-fire and the discharge of Israeli hostages have stalled as a result of Hamas rejected the most recent proposal put forth by Israel, Qatar and Egypt, the C.I.A. director mentioned Thursday, placing the blame for a scarcity of progress in talks squarely on the group that led the Oct. 7 assault on Israel.
Earlier this month, William J. Burns, C.I.A. director and lead American negotiator, traveled to Cairo and pushed what he known as “a far-reaching proposal” that Egyptian and Qatari negotiators took to Hamas. The proposal contained a suggestion to permit some Gazans to return to the northern a part of the enclave, a key Hamas demand.
Whereas Mr. Burns didn’t describe the main points of that proposal, he mentioned that up to now Hamas has not accepted it.
“It was a deep disappointment to get a unfavourable response from Hamas,” mentioned Mr. Burns, talking on the George W. Bush Presidential Middle in Dallas. “Proper now, it’s that unfavourable response that actually is standing in the best way of harmless civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian aid that they so desperately want.”
Final Sunday, Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, expressed remorse that Hamas had rejected the proposal and argued it proved that the group was not interested by reaching a deal.
Different American officers, talking on situation of anonymity to debate delicate negotiations, have mentioned Hamas has signaled that it doesn’t have sufficient ladies and civilian hostages in its management to consummate the primary a part of the deal, which might launch 40 hostages over six weeks in return for numerous Palestinian prisoners.
A senior Hamas official, additionally talking on situation of anonymity, mentioned there weren’t sufficient dwelling civilian hostages left who met Israel’s standards to achieve their proposed determine of 40 hostages over six weeks. He accused Israel of in search of to free captive troopers for a lower cost than that demanded by the group. Hamas has mentioned most troopers can be launched in a later section of a cease-fire deal.
In its newest proposal to negotiators, Hamas known as for releasing fewer than 20 dwelling hostages as a part of an preliminary, six-week section cease-fire deal, in response to two Israeli officers accustomed to the matter who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate delicate issues. Israel had hoped to see wounded and in poor health hostages freed, however Hamas was insisting on a much more slim definition restricted to the aged and ladies, one of many officers mentioned.
Final yr, Mr. Burns helped information talks that led to the discharge of roughly 100 hostages in return for a brief halt in combating and the discharge of Palestinian prisoners. Mr. Burns mentioned he couldn’t assure that the present talks would succeed.
“And it breaks your coronary heart as a result of you possibly can see in very human phrases what’s at stake right here as effectively,” he mentioned.
Mr. Burns additionally reiterated the Biden administration’s want that Israel not escalate its battle with Iran, after what he known as a failed Iranian assault final weekend. As an alternative, he mentioned President Biden and different policymakers hope that “we’ll all discover a option to de-escalate the state of affairs.”
“I do know the Israeli authorities, as we sit right here this afternoon, is contemplating a response to what occurred final Saturday night time,” Mr. Burns mentioned. “And you realize, that’s their option to make that response.”
However Mr. Burns mentioned the Israelis had “clearly demonstrated their superiority” with capturing down Iranian drones and missiles. He mentioned of 330 drones and missiles launched by Iran, solely 4 or 5 hit the bottom in Israel.
“And none of them did any important injury,” he mentioned. “It’s a reminder of the standard of the Israeli army. It’s a reminder of the truth that the Israelis have buddies, beginning with the US.”
