Hamas today accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “obstructing” a Gaza ceasefire deal after the latest round of negotiations concluded on Friday in Doha, Qatar.
“We hold Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for the failure of the mediators’ efforts, because he prevented a deal and (we hold him responsible) for the lives of the hostages, who are in the same danger as our people” after shelling of the Palestinian enclave continues , Hamas said in a statement.
The US on Friday presented a new compromise proposal, following two days of talks by Qatari, American and Egyptian mediators with the Israeli delegation in Doha. The proposal “meets the conditions set by Netanyahu, in particular his refusal of a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal (of the Israeli army) from Gaza,” according to the Palestinian organization.
Also, the Israeli prime minister “set new conditions regarding the exchange of prisoners and backed down on other points, thus preventing an agreement from being reached,” the statement continued.
Earlier Netanyahu denounced Hamas’ “stubborn refusal” to agree to a ceasefire and called for pressure to be put on the Palestinian side rather than the Israeli government, a day before he met US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Hamas reiterates in its own statement that it is “committed to what was agreed on July 2, based on (Joe) Biden’s declaration and the Security Council resolution” and called on the mediators “to assume their responsibilities and compel the conqueror to implement what was agreed”.
The plan proposed by the American president foresees, in the first phase, a cease-fire for six weeks, during which the Israeli forces will withdraw from the densely populated Gaza Strip and the hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023 will be released. In the second phase, the full withdrawal of the Israeli army from the enclave.
Source: RES-MPE
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