Negotiations for a cease-fire and the discharge of Israeli hostages have stalled as a result of Hamas rejected the newest proposal put forth by Israel, Qatar and Egypt, the C.I.A. director mentioned Thursday, placing the blame for an absence 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 referred to 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 to date Hamas has not accepted it.
“It was a deep disappointment to get a destructive response from Hamas,” mentioned Mr. Burns, talking on the George W. Bush Presidential Heart in Dallas. “Proper now, it’s that destructive response that actually is standing in the best way of harmless civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian reduction 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 girls 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 a lot of Palestinian prisoners.
A senior Hamas official, additionally talking on situation of anonymity, mentioned there weren’t sufficient residing civilian hostages left who met Israel’s standards to succeed in their proposed determine of 40 hostages over six weeks. He accused Israel of searching for to free captive troopers for a cheaper price than that demanded by the group. Hamas has mentioned most troopers can be launched in a later part of a cease-fire deal.
In its newest proposal to negotiators, Hamas referred to as for releasing fewer than 20 residing hostages as a part of an preliminary, six-week part cease-fire deal, in keeping with two Israeli officers acquainted with the matter who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate delicate issues. Israel had hoped to see wounded and ailing hostages freed, however Hamas was insisting on a much more slim definition restricted to the aged and ladies, one of many officers mentioned.
Final 12 months, Mr. Burns helped information talks that led to the discharge of roughly 100 hostages in return for a short lived halt in preventing 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 nicely,” he mentioned.
Mr. Burns additionally reiterated the Biden administration’s want that Israel not escalate its battle with Iran, after what he referred to 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 scenario.”
“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 recognize, 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 navy. It’s a reminder of the truth that the Israelis have buddies, beginning with the USA.”
