Israel Hamas: Netanyahu evades agreement on ceasefire

Hamas in the Gaza Strip has rejected Israel's latest proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by them. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new demands deviated from his own previous positions and those of the mediators, the organization announced on its Telegram channel.

David Barnea, the head of Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad, had sent the amended Israeli proposal for the indirect Gaza negotiations to representatives of the mediating states USA, Qatar and Egypt on behalf of Netanyahu on Sunday. Hamas has since been informed of its contents by the mediators, according to the statement. "Netanyahu has once again returned to a strategy of procrastination, delay and evasion of an agreement," it continued.

The talks have been dragging on for months. Since May, they have revolved around a multi-stage plan by US President Joe Biden, which ultimately envisages a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza war. In addition, the hostages held by Hamas are to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Most recently, Netanyahu formulated additional conditions that were included in the proposal submitted by Barnea. These aim to ensure that Israel retains control over certain strategic zones in the Gaza Strip even after a ceasefire comes into force. Netanyahu's office announced on Sunday evening that Barnea had returned from Rome and that talks on the main issues would continue in the coming days.

SDA