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U.S. Envoy for Middle East Blames Hamas for Escalation in Gaza War
(MENAFN) Steve Witkoff, the US Leader Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, has held the Palestinian party Hamas accountable for the renewed violence in Gaza, while also reaffirming Washington's unwavering support for Israel.
In an interview with a news agency on Sunday, Witkoff emphasized that Hamas had numerous opportunities to avoid further escalation.
He stated, “Hamas had every opportunity to demilitarize, to accept the bridging proposal that would have given us a 40- or 50-day ceasefire where we could have discussed demilitarization and a final truce. There were all kinds of opportunities to do that, and they elected not to.”
Despite the ongoing hostilities, Witkoff conveyed that the United States remains open to diplomatic efforts. He clarified, “Would we be amenable to a reach-out from Hamas? Of course, we would be – no different than in the Russian conflict (in Ukraine). We want to end the killing, but we need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas.”
The Israeli military continued their intense airstrikes on Gaza on March 18, following the breaking of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which had been in effect since January 19.
In an interview with a news agency on Sunday, Witkoff emphasized that Hamas had numerous opportunities to avoid further escalation.
He stated, “Hamas had every opportunity to demilitarize, to accept the bridging proposal that would have given us a 40- or 50-day ceasefire where we could have discussed demilitarization and a final truce. There were all kinds of opportunities to do that, and they elected not to.”
Despite the ongoing hostilities, Witkoff conveyed that the United States remains open to diplomatic efforts. He clarified, “Would we be amenable to a reach-out from Hamas? Of course, we would be – no different than in the Russian conflict (in Ukraine). We want to end the killing, but we need to be clear who the aggressor is here, and that is Hamas.”
The Israeli military continued their intense airstrikes on Gaza on March 18, following the breaking of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which had been in effect since January 19.
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