Hostage talks: Hamas presents unacceptable terms to Israel
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
The Israeli side has criticized Hamas’s latest amendments to the draft agreement on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, according to The Times of Israel.
On Sunday, July 6, an Israeli delegation is set to travel to Qatar to take part in negotiations with Hamas over the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian group has introduced several amendments to the draft agreement, which may complicate the negotiation process.
"The changes that Hamas is seeking to make to the Qatari proposal were delivered to us last night and are not acceptable to Israel," says the PMO.
According to a source cited by The Times of Israel, Hamas is demanding that the agreement include three key provisions:
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Negotiations for a permanent ceasefire must continue until an agreement is reached;
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Humanitarian aid must be fully restored through mechanisms supported by the UN and other international humanitarian organizations;
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) must withdraw to positions held before the collapse of the previous truce in March.
Israel-Hamas negotiations
On Friday, July 4, Hamas responded positively to a US-backed ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip and declared its readiness to begin negotiations immediately.
On Monday, July 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the United States, where talks are planned with President Donald Trump. The White House is urging Jerusalem to halt military operations in the enclave and secure the release of Hamas-held hostages.
According to media reports, Trump and Netanyahu have agreed on a five-point plan for resolving the Middle East crisis.
