US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has remarked that certain modifications proposed by Hamas to the United States' Gaza ceasefire plan are not "practical," but efforts to finalize an agreement are still underway.

Speaking in Doha alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Wednesday, Blinken stated that Israel’s military operations in Gaza would persist "as a result" of Hamas’s stance.

Main Discussion Points

“Hamas has suggested numerous changes to the plan that was on the table. We discussed these amendments recently with Egyptian officials and today with the Prime Minister,” Blinken explained. “Some of the proposals are feasible, others are not.”

The United States introduced the plan late last month, asserting that it would culminate in a "lasting" truce in Gaza.

Hamas, together with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, submitted their response on Tuesday, deeming it both “responsible” and “constructive.”

“Our response prioritizes the well-being of our Palestinian people, the need to cease the ongoing aggression in Gaza, and ensure the withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from the entire Gaza Strip,” the group declared in a statement.

When US President Joe Biden unveiled the multi-phased proposal on May 31, he mentioned that it would involve Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza and a permanent cessation of hostilities.

The exact points of contention between Hamas’s position and the US proposal remain unclear. On Tuesday, Blinken directly blamed the Palestinian group for the failure to reach a consensus.

“The proposal on the table was almost identical to one advanced by Hamas on May 6 – a proposal backed by the international community and accepted by Israel. Hamas could have agreed with a simple ‘Yes’,” Blinken indicated. “Instead, Hamas delayed for nearly two weeks and then introduced further amendments, some of which diverge from positions it had previously accepted.”

Despite Hamas’s initial approval of the plan in early May, Israel dismissed the proposal, and the Israeli government has not publicly supported the US deal.

Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed, speaking alongside Blinken, affirmed that efforts to bridge the differences between the parties would continue.

“Negotiations involve a degree of ‘give and take’. There is no definitive response – just 'yes' or 'no',” he stated.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the need for a “sustainable solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Blinken echoed the necessity for “lasting” peace and the development of a “more integrated, more stable, and more prosperous” Middle East.

“During my eighth visit to the region since October 7, it’s been clear that this is the path everyone I’ve spoken to is eager to pursue,” the top US diplomat noted. “Whether this aligns with Hamas’s goals is uncertain, but Hamas will not dictate the future of this region and its people.”

The Pursuit of a Two-State Solution

The Biden administration and several Arab nations continue to advocate for a two-state solution, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“I will ensure comprehensive Israeli security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River, which contradicts the concept of a Palestinian state,” Netanyahu remarked in January.

Washington, which has previously vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, provides Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid annually.

Earlier this year, Biden authorized $14 billion in additional aid for Israel during its pursuit of “total victory” against Hamas.

Nevertheless, the Biden administration has been urging Netanyahu’s government to develop a plan for post-war Gaza.

On Wednesday, Blinken mentioned that the US would soon present its own vision for the reconstruction of Gaza following the conflict.

“In the forthcoming weeks, we will delineate proposals for the key components of the day-after plan, including specific strategies for governance, security, and reconstruction,” he stated. “This plan is essential for converting a ceasefire into a lasting resolution to the conflict.”