Hamas Rejects New Gaza Ceasefire Talks, Dimming Peace Hopes

Hamas announced it will not participate in the new round of Gaza ceasefire talks scheduled for Thursday in Qatar. The decision diminishes hopes for a truce that could prevent Iranian retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The U.S. still anticipates the indirect talks will proceed and believes a ceasefire is possible, though Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his Middle East trip. Hamas has expressed a preference for implementing an existing proposal rather than engaging in new negotiations. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri criticized additional talks, claiming they could lead to new conditions and further violence.