Hamas criticises new ceasefire proposal for Gaza, says it suits Netanyahu’s conditions
Benjamin Netanyahu. Image Source: Yonatan Sindel/JINI via Xinhua/IANS
Gaza, Aug 19: Hamas criticised a new ceasefire proposal for Gaza presented in Doha last week, saying it meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conditions, especially his refusal to agree on a permanent ceasefire.
The group claimed the proposal is in line with Netanyahu’s demands, including rejecting a permanent ceasefire, maintaining control over the Netzarim Corridor, the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphia Corridor, and placing new conditions on a prisoner exchange, which Hamas said hindered the deal’s completion, Xinhua news agency reported.
Hamas accused Netanyahu of being “fully responsible” for the mediators’ failure to reach an agreement, obstructing the agreement and endangering Israeli hostages by “continuing his aggressive actions against Gaza”.
The group reiterated its commitment to the deal reached on July 2 based on US President Joe Biden’s announcement and a UN Security Council resolution urging Egyptian and Qatari mediators to implement the agreed terms.
A new round of Gaza ceasefire talks took place in Doha on Thursday and Friday, after which the three mediators issued a joint statement announcing that “constructive” progress had been made in the talks and that the parties concerned would continue their efforts to negotiate the details of the agreement’s implementation in the coming days.
Netanyahu’s office expressed gratitude for the mediators’ efforts and hoped they would push Hamas to accept the terms of the proposal made in late May.
Meanwhile, Hamas, which did not participate directly, accused Israel of adding new conditions to a previously backed resolution and accused the US administration of trying to create a “false positive atmosphere”, expressing doubts about the outcome of the talks.
IANS is one of the largest independent news agencies in India. Established in the year 1986, today IANS is a full-fledged wire agency and and a preferred source for all manner of content and information. IANS is backed by highly experienced senior media professionals who include 75 reporters across the world.
