US says Hamas' opposition to cease-fire proposal was not officially transmitted
The U.S. continues to push Hamas to agree to the cease-fire proposal President Joe Biden outlined Friday, saying Hamas' stated opposition to the deal has yet to be officially transmitted.
"We've seen some public comments from Hamas officials, but we have not yet gotten an official response from Hamas to the Qataris, who are the mediator to whom Israel gave their proposal that was transmitted to Hamas," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America" Wednesday.
"The ball is in Hamas's court," Sullivan continued. "Israel has accepted the proposal. The world has endorsed the proposal. Now it's time for Hamas to say yes to it."
Sullivan argued the latest multi-phase proposal is key to ending the war, returning hostages, and increasing the flow of aid into Gaza, while ensuring Israel's security and a better future for Palestinians.
One-on-one with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
"That's what's on offer," Sullivan said. "That's what Hamas needs to step up and take and we're awaiting to get their official response."
Asked whether Biden thinks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was prolonging the war for political gain — which he suggested in a Time magazine interview out Tuesday — Sullivan pointed to Biden's answer to a question Tuesday evening asking if Netanyahu was playing politics.
"I don't think so. He's trying to work out the serious problem he has," Biden said Tuesday.
"And from our perspective, we're not going to delve into Israeli politics," Sullivan added. "What we're going to do is focus on the fundamental task at hand, which is President Biden's effort to end this war, get the hostages home, make sure Israel's safe and make sure the Palestinian people have a decent future."
-ABC News' Fritz Farrow