Washington proposes new deal, Hamas expresses goodwill

The proposal was made by US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and National Security Council member Eric Trager on March 12, according to Reuters citing a White House announcement. In the announcement, the White House also accused Hamas of making "completely unrealistic demands" and delaying the agreement to release hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire in Gaza. Washington warned that it would take countermeasures if Hamas did not meet the deadline.

People walk in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip

Earlier, the Hamas delegation led by leader Khalil Al-Hayya was in Cairo (Egypt) to participate in negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Hamas confirmed that it had received and was seriously considering the new proposal from the intermediaries. Afterwards, Hamas expressed goodwill when agreeing to release Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander and return the bodies of four hostages with dual nationality, but did not announce a specific time.

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On the same day, March 14, Hamas emphasized that the group is completely ready to start negotiations related to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Mr. Husam Badran, a Hamas official, affirmed that this force is committed to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement in all stages, and warned that if Israel does not comply with the terms, everything will "return to the starting line". According to AP, Hamas' statement was made in the context of ongoing negotiations in Doha (Qatar) with the mediation of the US, Qatar and Egypt to narrow the disagreement between Hamas and Israel.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/washington-de-xuat-thoa-thuan-moi-hamas-bay-to-thien-chi-18525031523082994.htm