Washington "studying" Hamas response to ceasefire, urges Israel not to attack Rafah

 

The United States said Monday it was reviewing Hamas' response to the cease-fire proposal, while renewing its call for Israel not to attack the densely populated southern Gaza town of Rafah.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, "I can confirm that a response has been issued by Hamas. We are currently reviewing that response and discussing it with our partners in the region."

Miller said CIA Director William Burns "is in the region right now working on this.

He declined to describe the response of Hamas, which has announced its acceptance of a cease-fire, but noted that the United States supports an agreement that calls for an end to fighting and the release of hostages.

Miller said, "We continue to believe that an agreement on the hostages is in the interest of the Israeli people and in the interest of the Palestinian people.

While the United States is studying Hamas' response, the administration of President Joe Biden renewed its calls for Israel not to attack Rafah after the Hebrew state issued evacuation orders.

"We have not seen a credible and viable humanitarian plan," Miller said.

He added, "We believe that a military operation in Rafah at this time would greatly exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people and lead to the loss of more civilian lives."

Biden spoke by phone earlier Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while the White House said the president stressed his "clear" position on Rafah.