Hamas says ‘no progress’ in Gaza negotiations as Israel continues to bombard Shejaiya
A senior Palestinian Hamas official said Saturday in Beirut that negotiations for an agreement with Israel on a Gaza ceasefire and captive exchange deal had not made any progress.
It was reported on Saturday that the US changed the language on the plan presented last month by US President Joe Biden to bridge the gap between the differing positions of Hamas and Israel.
However, later on the same day, Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official based in Lebanon, confirmed that the movement had received the latest proposal on June 24, but that it included “nothing new”, with Israel continuing to reject a permanent ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to viciously assault northern Gaza, the fourth day of an Israeli military operation that has uprooted tens of thousands of Palestinians and compounded what the UN called “unbearable” living conditions in the territory.
An AFP correspondent reported explosions from the Shejaiya area of Gaza City, and a resident saying bodies were seen on the streets. Thousands of people remain trapped in the area without access to food or medical care.