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 through Israel, Qatar and Egypt, the C.I.A. director stated Thursday, hanging the blame for a loss of development in talks squarely at the staff 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 driven what he referred to as “a far-reaching proposal” that Egyptian and Qatari negotiators took to Hamas. The proposal contained an be offering to permit some Gazans to go back to the northern a part of the enclave, a key Hamas call for.
While Mr. Burns didn’t describe the main points of that proposal, he stated that thus far Hamas has now not permitted it.
“It was a deep disappointment to get a negative reaction from Hamas,” stated Mr. Burns, talking on the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. “Right now, it’s that negative reaction that really is standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need.”
Last Sunday, Mossad, the Israeli intelligence provider, expressed remorseful about that Hamas had rejected the proposal and argued it proved that the crowd used to be now not fascinated by achieving a deal.
Other American officers, talking on situation of anonymity to talk about delicate negotiations, have stated Hamas has signaled that it does now not have sufficient ladies and civilian hostages in its keep watch over to consummate the primary a part of the deal, which might liberate 40 hostages over six weeks in go back for numerous Palestinian prisoners.
A senior Hamas legitimate, additionally talking on situation of anonymity, stated 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 the hunt for to unfastened captive infantrymen for a lower cost than that demanded through the crowd. Hamas has stated maximum infantrymen can be launched in a later section of a cease-fire deal.
In its newest proposal to negotiators, Hamas referred to as for liberating fewer than 20 dwelling hostages as a part of an preliminary, six-week section cease-fire deal, in keeping with two Israeli officers conversant in the topic who spoke on situation of anonymity to talk about delicate issues. Israel had was hoping to look wounded and sick hostages freed, but Hamas used to be insisting on a much more slender definition restricted to the aged and ladies, one of the most officers stated.
Last yr, Mr. Burns helped information talks that resulted in the discharge of kind of 100 hostages in go back for a short lived halt in combating and the discharge of Palestinian prisoners. Mr. Burns stated he may just now not make sure that the present talks would be triumphant.
“And it breaks your heart because you can see in very human terms what’s at stake here as well,” he stated.
Mr. Burns additionally reiterated the Biden management’s want that Israel now not escalate its warfare with Iran, after what he referred to as a failed Iranian assault closing weekend. Instead, he stated President Biden and different policymakers hope that “we’ll all find a way to de-escalate the situation.”
“I know the Israeli government, as we sit here this afternoon, is considering a response to what happened last Saturday night,” Mr. Burns stated. “And you know, that’s their choice to make that response.”
But Mr. Burns stated the Israelis had “clearly demonstrated their superiority” with taking pictures down Iranian drones and missiles. He stated of 330 drones and missiles introduced through Iran, most effective 4 or 5 hit the bottom in Israel.
“And none of them did any significant damage,” he stated. “It’s a reminder of the quality of the Israeli military. It’s a reminder of the fact that the Israelis have friends, starting with the United States.”