US 'will push for final Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal', says it opposes IDF presence in Gaza

Updated : Sep 04, 2024 13:00
|
AFP

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday that it was time to "finalise" a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war. 

Talking to reporters, Miller said that Biden would work "over the coming days" with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar "to push for a final agreement".

He was speaking after Netanyahu rejected "concessions" in indirect negotiations with Hamas, despite growing domestic and international pressure following the recovery by Israel's military of six killed hostages from the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

"It is time to finalise that deal," Miller said.

The United States on Tuesday unsealed a raft of "terrorism" and other charges against six Hamas leaders related to the group's October 7 attack on Israel which sparked the war in Gaza.

Those targeted in the February charges include Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh, who had been engaged in truce talks when he was killed in July in an attack blamed on Israel.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for an "independent, impartial and transparent investigation" into reports that the six captives recovered dead from Gaza had been summarily executed.

Despite increasing grief and fury among Israelis, who have taken to the streets to pressure the government and express concern for the fate of the hostages, Netanyahu said he would "not give in to pressure".

(With AFP inputs)

Israel Hamas War

Recommended For You

editorji | World

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face extended stay on ISS

editorji | World

'Satellite beams turned off over India': Musk rejects claim of Starlink misuse in Manipur

editorji | World

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians

editorji | World

Muhammad Yunus celebrates end of Sheikh Hasina’s ‘autocratic government’

editorji | World

Pope makes 1st papal visit to France’s Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety