Osama Hamdan a senior member of the Hamas terror group on Friday rejected a proposal for a "small deal," that would see the release of some of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Families of hostages said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told them during his visit to Israel earlier in the week that he was trying to secure an initial deal to "test the waters" and see who can now speak for Hamas after the killing of its leader Yahya Sinwar.
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
(Photo: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem)
Blinken met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the first big U.S. push for a Middle East ceasefire since Israel killed the leader of Hamas last week - and the last attempt before a presidential election that could upend U.S. policy. The two men met for 2.5 hours before the secretary met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Speaking to the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Mayadeen network, Hamdan said Israel was trying to work around the Hamas terms for a deal that would include a withdrawal of troops and an end to the war. "Israel wants to get some hostages in exchange for a few days of calm without committing to ending the war and pulling out its troops. Hamas rejects the proposals that do not meet our basic demands," he said.
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