The United States is currently reviewing a ceasefire response from Hamas and plans to discuss it with Middle Eastern allies following a proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar. This development comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflicts in Gaza, particularly around the city of Rafah, which has been a focal point in recent escalations.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that Hamas had issued a response to the ceasefire proposal, which was now under review by U.S. officials. "We are reviewing that response now and discussing it with our partners in the region," Miller stated during a press briefing. He also mentioned that CIA Director Bill Burns was actively involved in the region to address the situation directly.
The proposal comes at a critical time as Israel had begun preparations for a possible ground assault on Rafah, the last stronghold of Hamas in Gaza and a refuge for many displaced Gazans. The U.S. has expressed concerns about the humanitarian implications of such an operation. Miller reiterated that the U.S. could not support an operation in Rafah as envisioned by Israel due to potential impacts on humanitarian efforts.
Hamas's acceptance of the ceasefire framework was confirmed through a statement where Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, communicated with both the Qatari Prime Minister and the Egyptian Minister of Intelligence. The framework aims to provide a pause in the fighting that has devastated the region for the past seven months.
Concurrently, Israeli forces have been directing residents of Rafah to evacuate, intensifying fears of an imminent military operation. Israel's defense minister conveyed to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that Israel felt compelled to act following a deadly rocket attack from Rafah by Hamas militants.
President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also held discussions regarding the situation in Rafah, with Netanyahu affirming his commitment to a military response if necessary. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani detailed evacuation orders for approximately 100,000 people to relocate to a humanitarian zone established by Israel, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
