Blinken's visit amid Hamas rejection heightens Gaza ceasefire doubts

The offer was developed during negotiations in Qatar, which involved intermediaries from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar. The aim of the talks was to find a "bridging proposal" to reduce the gap between the demands of both sides.

Hamas issued a statement a few hours after the arrival in Israel of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His visit aims to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and secure the release of hostages abducted during the October attack by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian groups on Israel.

According to Reuters, Hamas reacted negatively to the talks in Qatar, claiming that the proposals presented there too closely align with the vision of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Netanyahu, in turn, expressed opposition to a complete cessation of hostilities and a total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, including the area bordering Egypt, which the Palestinian side is demanding.

"We hold Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the mediators' efforts, delaying the agreement, and for the lives of his prisoners who are exposed to the same danger as our people due to his ongoing aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip," Hamas stated, calling on the mediators to "assume their responsibilities" and put pressure on Israel to accept the terms of the agreement expected by Hamas.