Hamas and Israel accuse each other of delaying ceasefire
Photo: Each side claims the other is lying (Getty Images)
On Wednesday, the Palestinian paramilitary group Hamas and the state of Israel exchanged accusations. The reason was the inability to conclude a ceasefire agreement, despite progress in recent days, Reuters reports.
Hamas claimed that Israel had imposed additional conditions, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the group of backtracking on agreements already reached.
“The occupation has set new conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available,” Hamas said.
They also added that they are showing flexibility and that the talks, which Qatar and Egypt are mediated, are serious.
In response, Netanyahu said in his statement.
“The Hamas terrorist organization continues to lie, is reneging on understandings that have already been reached, and is continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations,” the Israeli prime minister said.
However, he added that Israel will continue its relentless efforts to return the hostages.
Background
On Tuesday, Netanyahu's office announced that Israeli parliamentarians had returned to Israel from Qatar for consultations on a hostage deal after an important week of negotiations.
According to Reuters, American and Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt have stepped up efforts to reach a phased deal in the past two weeks. One of the problems was the agreement on the deployment of Israeli troops.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking to commanders in southern Gaza, said that Israel would maintain control over the enclave's security, including through buffer zones and checkpoints.
Summarizing, the agency adds that Hamas is demanding an end to the war, while Israel says it first wants to end Hamas' rule in the enclave to ensure that it no longer poses a threat to Israelis.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently eliminated the head of the Hamas security directorate. The military said that he was hiding in a command center located in a former school building.
Also recently, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz officially recognized that Israel was behind the operation to eliminate Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which took place in Tehran in the summer.
