US failed to reach ceasefire proposal pleasing Resistance, 'Israel'
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The United States said they were aiming for a proposal that would please both the Resistance and the Israeli occupation, but their efforts faltered.
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Displaced children walk through a dark streak of sewage flowing into the streets of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, August 29, 2024 (AP)
A senior source from the Palestinian Resistance revealed Saturday to Al Mayadeen that the United States had failed to present a proposal that satisfies both sides in the ongoing war on Gaza.
According to the source, "Israel" rejected the US initiative, believing it did not adequately address its security concerns.
The source further explained that US officials view Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the primary obstacle to reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas had not introduced any new demands, standing firm on the document presented on July 2.
The Palestinian Resistance also assured mediators that the aforementioned document remains the only viable path toward an agreement, dismissing the need for any alternative proposals.
Previously, a high-ranking leader within the Palestinian Resistance confirmed to Al Mayadeen that the Philadelphi Corridor remains the key obstacle in achieving both a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange deal. This contentious area continues to be a critical point of negotiation, impeding progress toward a broader resolution.
The leader added on Friday that the Israeli occupation is adamant about not withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor during the first phase of the agreement, intending to postpone the withdrawal to the second phase. He also noted that Hamas informed mediators of its categorical rejection of allowing occupation forces to remain in the area during the initial 42 days of the agreement.
He further revealed that mediators had presented proposals for the occupation to gradually withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor during the first phase of the agreement. However, "Israel" rejected these proposals, maintaining its stance against an immediate or phased withdrawal.
US working on ceasefire proposal
The White House is working to finalize a new proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives being held in the Gaza Strip.
According to US officials and sources in Egypt, the proposal aims to address key issues that have stalled the negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
According to US claims, much of the agreement is in place, however, negotiators maintain that they are yet to resolve two main obstacles.
The key issues still being negotiated are, on the one hand, "Israel's" demand to maintain a presence in the Philadelphi corridor. The corridor is meant to become, for all Israeli occupation purposes, a buffer zone in southern Gaza along the Egyptian border.
On the other hand, the second key problem has been determining which Palestinian detainees will be included in the proposed exchange of Israeli occupation captives for Palestinian detainees held in Israeli occupation prisons, according to an unnamed administration official.
