(MENAFN) The White House has cautioned against placing too much weight on recent statements from Israel and Hamas regarding ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to John Kirby, a spokesperson for the United States National Security Council, public declarations from both sides do not fully reflect the substantive discussions happening behind closed doors. These discussions, facilitated by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, are deemed more significant by the White House.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined non-negotiable terms for the talks, including the condition that any ceasefire agreement should permit Israel to continue military operations until all its objectives are achieved. Netanyahu has consistently emphasized the goal of completely dismantling Hamas throughout the conflict.

In response, Hamas criticized Netanyahu for allegedly obstructing progress in the negotiations and warned that ongoing Israeli attacks could derail the peace process entirely.

United States State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the importance of conducting these negotiations privately rather than through public statements, underscoring Washington's stance on productive diplomatic discourse.

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