Hamas plays down talk of cease-fire happening soon

“We are not interested in engaging with what's been floated, because it does not fulfill our demands.” — Ahmad Abdelhadi, Hamas official

After President Joe Biden expressed cautious optimism Monday about the prospect of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip by next week, Hamas on Tuesday played down suggestions that it was close to reaching an agreement with Israel.

Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesperson, said in a text message that Hamas had yet to formally receive “any new proposals” since senior Israeli officials met with Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators in Paris last week to advance a possible deal.

In Paris, Israeli officials discussed a proposal in which roughly 40 hostages could be freed during a roughly six-week cease-fire, which they hope to reach before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in less than two weeks. In exchange, the officials said, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners — including some serving heavy sentences for terrorism, a notable concession aimed at persuading Hamas to make a deal.

Hamas' political leaders have long insisted publicly that any new deal to release the more than 100 hostages still being held in Gaza must lead to a permanent cease-fire. Israel has said it will not compromise on its goal of toppling Hamas in Gaza, suggesting it is not ready to declare a long-term truce despite growing international pressure to do so.

Another Hamas official, Ahmad Abdelhadi, said the group was sticking to its demands and that leaks about the talks were designed to put pressure on Hamas to soften its position.

Hamas “is not interested in any concessions that do not lead to a complete and total cessation of the aggression against our people,” Abdelhadi said in an interview with al-Mayadeen, a Lebanese broadcaster, televised Tuesday. “We are not interested in engaging with what's been floated, because it does not fulfill our demands,” he added.

Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, also expressed caution Tuesday, saying it could not comment on Biden's view that negotiators were nearing an agreement. The talks have not reached a breakthrough, although mediators remain optimistic, said Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry.

“The efforts are ongoing, all the parties are conducting regular meetings,” al-Ansari told reporters in Doha, the capital. “But for now, while we certainly hope it will be achieved as soon as possible, we don't have anything in our hands so as to comment on that deadline.”