Hamas, the militant group based in Lebanon, has decided not to attend the upcoming cease-fire negotiations with Israel, according to a representative who spoke to CBS News. The decision comes after Hamas did not receive assurances from Israel that they would negotiate based on a proposal dated July 2. Ahmad Abdul Hadi, Hamas’ representative in Lebanon, stated, “We are not against the concept of negotiations and we were flexible in the previous rounds. But Netanyahu and his government rejected the July 2nd proposal, put new conditions, and assassinated the head of our movement,” referring to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political wing, in Tehran last month. Haniyeh had been leading the cease-fire talks for Hamas.
Abdul Hadi added that Hamas will not participate in the talks scheduled for August 15 and will go back to square one. However, Hamas expressed willingness to meet with mediators after the talks in Qatar if Israel provides a “serious response.” Abdul Hadi emphasized that reaching an agreement is crucial to stop the violence and suffering inflicted on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation.
On the other hand, Israel had indicated its willingness to attend the negotiations, but Hamas issued a statement on Monday hinting that they would not participate, citing previous failed negotiations and highlighting the importance of the July 2 proposal. In their statement on Tuesday, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of acting in bad faith and prolonging the conflict in Gaza.
The tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated, with Iran and its proxies blaming Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh and a recent airstrike in Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah military commander. Despite Israel taking credit for the strike on the Hezbollah commander, they have not acknowledged involvement in Haniyeh’s killing. Western countries, including the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Vatican, have been trying to prevent further escalation between Iran and Israel.
Iran’s new President, Mahmoud Pezeshkian, has stated that retaliation against Israel is a legitimate right to deter further aggression. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned that if Iran and Hezbollah were to launch attacks, it could lead to a broader conflict in the region, involving Middle Eastern and Western countries. The White House has also expressed concerns about a potential attack on Israel by Iran and its proxies, with preparations underway for any eventualities.
The situation remains tense as both sides stand firm in their positions, with the risk of a wider conflict looming over the region. The failure to resume negotiations and find a peaceful resolution raises concerns about the possibility of further violence and instability in the Middle East. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions and a return to negotiations for a lasting cease-fire agreement.
