CAIRO − On Wednesday, Hamas announced that it would not participate in the upcoming ceasefire discussions set for Thursday in Qatar. However, a source noted that mediators anticipate engaging with Hamas afterward.

The U.S. expects that the indirect negotiations will proceed as scheduled in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and remains hopeful for a ceasefire agreement, while stressing the urgent need for progress to prevent an escalation into a larger conflict.

According to Axios, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has deferred his planned trip to the Middle East, which was supposed to commence on Tuesday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that CIA Director Bill Burns and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk will represent the U.S. at the discussions.

Three high-ranking Iranian officials indicated that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would be necessary for Iran to refrain from exacting direct retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last month on Iranian territory.

“Israel’s negotiation team will arrive as planned tomorrow, August 15th, to finalize the details of implementing the agreed-upon framework,” announced government spokesperson David Mencer during a briefing.

This delegation comprises Israel’s spy chief David Barnea, head of the domestic security service Ronen Bar, and the military’s head of hostage affairs Nitzan Alon, as per a defense official.

Hamas has expressed doubts regarding the negotiations, accusing Israel of delaying the process. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contends that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is the primary hindrance to reaching an agreement.

“Engaging in fresh negotiations gives the occupying force the chance to impose new conditions and utilize the complex negotiation process to further commit atrocities,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Hamas awaits Israel’s stance

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were informed about the current situation during a meeting in the White House’s situation room on Wednesday, according to aides.

Despite Hamas not participating in the ceasefire discussions, there remains potential for progress because its chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, is based in Doha, and Hamas has active communication channels with both Egypt and Qatar.

“Hamas is ready to discuss the proposal presented on July 2, which aligns with the U.N. Security Council resolution and the Biden administration’s speech, and is prepared to immediately discuss how to implement it,” stated Abu Zuhri.

A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that Hamas expects the mediators to present a “serious response” from Israel. If this occurs, Hamas is willing to meet with the mediators following Thursday’s session. An official familiar with the talks mentioned that the mediators plan to consult with Hamas.

In a statement released late Wednesday, Hamas, along with several smaller factions, reiterated the essential conditions they expect the ceasefire agreement to fulfill.

The group emphasized that negotiations must assess the implementation mechanisms for what was agreed in the framework deal presented by mediators, aimed at achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, lifting the blockade, opening borders, rebuilding Gaza, and negotiating a serious hostages/prisoners agreement.

They also rejected any U.S. or Israeli involvement in determining the post-war situation in Gaza.

Biden advisor in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah escalation

Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to President Biden, traveled to Lebanon to prevent a separate conflict escalation involving Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, following the death of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut’s southern suburbs last month.

Hochstein met with parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who leads the armed Amal movement allied with Hezbollah, and he is scheduled to meet with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

“There are no more valid excuses from any party for further delays,” the U.S. envoy stated during a press conference.

In Gaza, residents of the southern city Khan Younis reported that Israeli forces destroyed homes in the east while intensifying tank fire in central eastern areas of the city.

Israel claimed its actions were in response to rocket fire from Hamas and that it targeted launching sites and militants. Armed factions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad stated that they had attacked Israeli troops.

Additionally, reports indicate that forces from Hamas are currently engaged in intense confrontations with Israeli troops in the West Bank, which Israel controls. Israel has claimed to have eliminated several militants in these clashes.

A potential cease-fire agreement would focus on facilitating the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, significant differences between the two parties regarding the order of exchanges and other terms still exist.

Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has emphasized the need for Israel to maintain oversight of a border corridor between Gaza and Egypt to prevent arms trafficking. In contrast, Israel’s military chief, Herzi Halevi, has suggested that monitoring could be conducted remotely if required.

There are also ongoing disagreements concerning the freedom of movement for people in Gaza following a ceasefire agreement.

A Hamas-initiated assault on Israeli settlements near Gaza on October 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, primarily among civilians, along with over 250 individuals being taken hostage and brought to Gaza, according to Israeli reports.

In retaliation, Israeli military actions have devastated large portions of Gaza, resulting in the displacement of a significant portion of its residents and the deaths of about 40,000 individuals, most of whom were civilians, according to the Palestinian health authorities.

Israel has reported over 300 military personnel deaths, with the claim that around a third of the Palestinian deaths in Gaza were militants.