The U.N. accuses both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes in Gaza, while Blinken signals that no cease-fire agreement is imminent.
The U.S. said Wednesday that Hamas’ demands were hindering the efforts to secure a cease-fire with Israel, as the United Nations accused both sides of committing war crimes during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The situation worsened when Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Israel, following the killing of a senior commander, which threatened to escalate the conflict further.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, addressing reporters in Qatar, stated that Hamas had requested several changes to the U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal, but many of those demands were deemed “unworkable.” He emphasized that while some of Hamas’ changes were feasible, many others could not be accepted, as they would complicate or derail the chances for peace.
“Some of those are workable changes, some are not,” Blinken said. He stressed that the U.S. would continue to engage with international mediators to bring about a resolution but warned that a deal was not yet imminent. His comments came just hours after Hamas submitted a formal response to the cease-fire plan, signaling that the ongoing negotiations were far from reaching a conclusion.
The United Nations, meanwhile, issued a report accusing both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes during the conflict. The international body’s accusations have added a layer of complexity to the already delicate diplomatic situation. The U.N. has called for accountability for all parties involved, urging both sides to respect international law and safeguard civilian lives.
In response to the mounting pressure, Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, launched a rocket attack on Israeli targets. This retaliation came in the wake of the death of a senior Hezbollah commander, further raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict. The situation is increasingly fragile, with fears of a broader war in the Middle East.
The Biden administration has faced mounting pressure to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas, but Blinken acknowledged the difficulties in bridging the gap between the two sides. Both Israel and Hamas have made it clear that they are unwilling to fully accept the cease-fire terms, which include the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attack.
The situation remains dire, with the conflict having resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction in Gaza. As the U.S. continues to push for a resolution, there are concerns about the potential for a protracted war if a cease-fire cannot be reached.
