The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has criticized US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's comments blaming the group for the Gaza ceasefire stalemate, stating his remarks show he’s part of the problem, not the solution. Osama Hamdan, senior Hamas representative in Lebanon, asserted that the Israeli occupation is obstructing the ceasefire. In an Al-Araby television interview, Hamdan emphasized that the Israeli side is rejecting ceasefire proposals and accused the American administration of complicity with Israel in avoiding a permanent ceasefire commitment.

Blinken, earlier on Wednesday, criticized Hamas's response to the ceasefire plan proposed by President Joe Biden, describing some of Hamas’s demands as unworkable but expressed a willingness to continue working towards a ceasefire agreement. The Biden plan, announced on May 31, calls for an Israeli withdrawal from major population centers and a six-week ceasefire, potentially extendable for further negotiations.

Hamas has reportedly requested a clear ceasefire timeline and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Hamdan dismissed Blinken’s comments on post-war Gaza governance, insisting that Palestinians will determine their future. He warned that Israel's proposal seeks a temporary ceasefire to regroup before resuming conflict, with mediators urged to secure guarantees to prevent Israeli evasion of responsibilities.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, alongside Blinken, acknowledged a key divide over the temporary versus permanent nature of the ceasefire but pledged ongoing efforts with Egypt and the US to end the war swiftly.

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