The president of the USA Joe Biden said today that “we are closer than ever” to a ceasefire in Gaza “but we are not there yet”, as two days of negotiations in Doha were suspended until next week.

“I don’t want to screw it up… we might have something. But we’re not there yet,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House.

“We’re much, much closer than we were three days ago. Therefore, make your cross,” he added.

However, senior Hamas official Mr Sami Abu Zuhispeaking to Reuters, accused the US administration of trying to create a “false positive atmosphere” but has no real intention to stop the war in Gaza and is only trying to buy time.

For its part, Israel emphasized that the pressure from international mediators and the USA will lead Hamas to accept a ceasefire for the hostage release deal proposed on May 27, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

“Israel appreciates the efforts of the US and mediators to prevent Hamas from refusing to accept a hostage release agreement,” the statement said.

Negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of hostages in Gaza will resume in Cairo next week around a new American proposal, the joint communique issued today by the mediator countries of the United States, Egypt and Qatar said. However, Hamas rejected the “new Israeli terms”.

The mediators three countries assessed that the two days of talks in Doha were “constructive” and held in a “positive atmosphere”.

Today, Washington put forward a new compromise proposal, backed by Egypt and Qatar, to “fill the remaining gaps” in a way that allows Israel and Hamas to quickly implement a deal. This US proposal is based on a road map presented by President Joe Biden in late May, and envisages three phases for an end to hostilities and the release of hostages taken in the October 7 attack on southern Israel.

New proposal for a ceasefire from the US in Doha

New, improved, proposal for a truce in Gauze the US presented on Friday at the Doha conference, with the aim of reaching a comprehensive agreement that both Israel and Hamas would accept and that would pave the way for a gradual end to the crisis in the Middle East.

The US proposal was welcomed with a joint statement by the Egypt and Qataremphasizing in the text that the proposed new agreement is based on the foundations of Joe Biden’s proposal, which, we note, is invoked by Hamas as the basis of any discussions.

According to officials, the new proposal of USA it covers many of the gaps that existed and creates the conditions for its rapid implementation, so that a quick solution can be provided.

The talks, in this initial phase, held in Doha have been concluded. Reactions from the parties involved are now expected, so that a second round can be held next Friday, this time in Cairo.

Hamas had no representation in Dohainsisting that the only discussions that could take place should be based on his proposal Joe Biden.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that the talks held in Doha were not binding on the group, insisting that Israel was not committed to halting the offensive to eliminate it. Hamasasking for a permanent solution to the ceasefire and not a temporary one, as it appears from the contacts made.

“The path is now set for this outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza and de-escalating regional tensions,” the US, Egypt and Qatar said in their statement, essentially setting the stage for developments in the region.

An Israeli official said his delegation to Doha would return home later on Friday and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday.

According to officials, there was communication between Qatar and Iran at the top level, in which Tehran was given a clear warning not to launch an attack on Israel and jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.