“There is a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that a deal is possible and indeed necessary, and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve it,” Mr Blinken said.
Hamas’s response came as a surprise to Mr. Blinken and the White House, who had little time to review it before being publicly questioned about it. Qatari officials received the Hamas proposal just an hour before Mr Blinken arrived for his first meeting in Doha and about three hours before the joint press conference, said a senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal discussions. Mr. Blinken’s team quickly looked into it and then briefed White House officials.
Mr Biden told reporters in Washington that there had been “some movement” in the talks and that the Hamas proposal “seems to be a bit over the top”.
“There is ongoing negotiation at the moment,” he said.
In a statement, Hamas said it viewed the framework proposed by mediators “positively.” She did not elaborate, but reaffirmed her previous demands, including a permanent ceasefire, the reconstruction of Gaza, an end to Israel’s blockade of the territory and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
An Israeli official briefed on the matter said Israel was not satisfied with Hamas’ response. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hamas wanted a deal only if it secured continued control of Gaza and ended the war – both terms rejected by Israel.
Israel’s spy agency, the Mossad, said in a statement that it had received Hamas’ response from Qatar, “and its details are being examined in depth by all officials involved in the negotiations.”
Egypt and Qatar were key intermediaries, negotiating with Hamas leaders a US-backed proposal that could temporarily halt the war that has devastated Gaza, free remaining hostages there in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons and allow more food, water, medicine and other basic supplies into the territory.
