Israel and Hamas appear far from cease-fire agreement

Nick Schifrin:

So, clearly, Blinken questioning whether Hamas actually wanted any kind of cease-fire proposal. And U.S. officials have been doubting whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in fact wanted an end to the war.

As for the changes themselves, Hamas suggested that it’s looking for a timeline for both the permanent cease-fire, as well as the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. And, as we have been talking about, this proposal only requires Israel to go for a temporary cease-fire and for that temporary cease-fire to continue as long as the two sides are negotiated.

Hamas today, though, called its response responsible, serious and positive, and accused Blinken of seeing things — quote — “through an Israeli lens.” But, as we have been talking also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not formally endorsed this plan, at least not in public. And an Israeli official told me today that Hamas — quote — “rejected the proposal,” which it hasn’t.

So, clearly a lot of negotiating in public and both sides trying to blame the other.