Rhino: Agencies – White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday that US President Joe Biden will urge G7 leaders to support ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and encourage Hamas to accept a proposal backed by Israel.
He told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 leaders meeting in southern Italy that the world should encourage the Palestinian movement to accept the proposal and avoid an impasse.
Sullivan said that Israel supports the ceasefire proposal in the eight-month war in the Gaza Strip, and that the goal is to bridge the gap with Hamas and reach an agreement soon.
Hamas has welcomed the ceasefire proposal but insists that any agreement must guarantee an end to the war, a demand that Israel continues to reject. Israel described Hamas’ response to the new US proposal as a complete rejection.

Since a brief week-long truce in November, repeated attempts to reach a ceasefire have failed as Hamas insists on an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Sullivan said Hamas has submitted amendments to the proposal, some minor and workable, others not in line with Biden’s proposal or the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
“Our goal is to figure out how to bridge the remaining gaps and reach an agreement,” he said, adding that discussions will continue with Qatar and Egypt, who in turn will work with Hamas to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
Sullivan emphasised that Israel supports the ceasefire proposal announced by Biden in a speech on 31 May, adding that he has not heard any Israeli leader reject the agreement.
Sullivan expects Biden to update G7 leaders on the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations and how their countries can support the process, highlighting the broader implications of increased tensions between Israel and Lebanon.