Politics USA puts pressure on Hamas - Israel considers further steps
The US government is urging the Islamist Hamas to immediately release further hostages from the Gaza Strip.
15.03.2025, 04:52
SDA
Washington rejected an offer by Hamas to hand over what is probably the last remaining Israeli-American dual national in return for Israeli concessions. The terrorist organization must either release several hostages immediately, as proposed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, or it will "pay a high price", according to a written statement issued by the National Security Council and Witkoff's office.
Israel's government accuses Hamas of manipulation and psychological warfare. According to his office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a ministerial meeting this evening to be briefed by the Israeli negotiating delegation and to decide on "steps to free the hostages and achieve all our war aims". Israel's war aims include the complete destruction of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
USA and Israel reject Hamas offer
Witkoff had presented an updated proposal for an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas for several weeks at a mediation meeting in the Gulf state of Qatar. According to reports, Hamas would have to hand over at least five live hostages and the mortal remains of around nine abductees on the first day of the ceasefire extension, while Israel would have to allow aid deliveries to Gaza again in return.
However, Hamas only offered to hand over the Israeli-American dual national and the bodies of four abducted Israelis, also of dual nationality, leaving open which other nationalities are involved. Hamas is demanding that talks be held on the second phase of the original agreement.
This phase provides for the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip, a permanent end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages. However, Israel wants to keep the option open to resume the fight against Hamas. While Israel's government has accepted Witkoff's far-reaching proposal, Hamas remains on its refusal course and is continuing its "psychological war against the hostage families", according to the statement from Netanyahu's office.
USA threatens the Islamists
"Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to publicly profess flexibility while privately making demands that are completely impractical without a permanent ceasefire," the statement from Witkoff's office and the National Security Council said. Hamas is counting on "time being on its side. It is not." Should the Palestinian terrorist organization not comply with all demands in time, the USA would "respond accordingly".
After the US, Egypt and Qatar failed to bridge the rifts between Israel and Hamas at the talks in the Qatari capital Doha, the talks could next continue in the Egyptian capital Cairo. Hamas has declared that its negotiating team is already on its way there, wrote the Wall Street Journal.
Concern in Israel about remaining hostages
According to Israeli information, various Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip are still holding 24 live hostages and 35 bodies. A total of five of them also have US citizenship, but four of them are said to be dead. Hamas' latest statement has raised fears in Israel that hostages with dual citizenship - especially those with American passports - will be handed over while those without are left behind.
