The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said that new conditions imposed by the Israeli occupation postponed reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners in the midst of the negotiations taking place in Doha and Cairo.
Today, Wednesday, the movement issued a statement in which it said that the negotiations “are proceeding in Doha, with Qatari and Egyptian mediation, in a serious manner, and the movement has shown responsibility and flexibility.”
She added, “However, the occupation imposed new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which postponed reaching the agreement that was available.”
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Hamas “is lying again, withdrawing from the understandings that were reached, and continues to create difficulties for the negotiations.”
Netanyahu’s office said yesterday, Tuesday, that the Israeli negotiating team in Doha would return to Israel to conduct “internal consultations” regarding the exchange deal after “an important week of negotiations.”
The State of Qatar announced earlier that the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners “are still ongoing between Cairo and Doha, and it is not possible to predict when an agreement will be reached.”
On the other hand, Israeli Channel 13 quoted an official close to the Israeli Prime Minister as saying that there may be a breakthrough in the negotiations soon.
The official added that the main disagreement in the negotiations is the number of Israeli detainees in Gaza who will be released in the first phase of the deal.
The Israeli channel reported that Netanyahu is interested in implementing the first phase of the deal with the approaching inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. She added that the Israeli Prime Minister seeks to present the deal as a “positive gesture” towards Trump, whom he wants to please, according to the channel.
Hamas has repeatedly stressed that any prisoner exchange agreement must lead to an end to the aggression on the Gaza Strip and the return of the displaced to their areas. It has previously accused Netanyahu of procrastinating and setting new conditions to thwart efforts to reach an agreement.
The Israeli opposition and the families of the prisoners also accuse Netanyahu of obstructing reaching an agreement to maintain his position and government, as extremist ministers – including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – threaten to withdraw from the government and topple it if the war on Gaza is ended.
