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Israel and the militant group Hamas accused each other on Monday of the lack of progress in reaching a ceasefire and agreement on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, despite international mediation. Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of adding new conditions and demands to a US-backed cease-fire proposal after recent talks held through mediators.
Mr Netanyahu, however, denied making any changes and said it was actually the Hamas group that insisted on numerous changes to the original proposal. The Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamist group said it had received the latest response from Israel, following talks in Rome involving Israel, the United States, Egypt and Qatar. "It is clear from what the mediators conveyed that Netanyahu has returned to his strategy of procrastination, evasion and avoiding reaching an agreement by imposing new conditions and demands," Hamas said in a statement on Monday.
The Hamas group accused Mr Netanyahu of withdrawing from a proposal previously presented by mediators, which it said was already based on an "Israeli letter". Mr Netanyahu's office said in response that it was the Hamas leadership that was blocking a deal, demanding 29 changes to the proposal. "Israel is sticking to its principles under the original proposal - a maximum number of hostages (to be released) who are still alive, Israeli control of the Philadelphia corridor (along the Gaza-Egypt border) and preventing the movement of terrorists and weapons in the northern part of the Gaza Strip," the statement said.
Senior Hamas political official Izzat al-Reshiq later on Monday denied his group had submitted any new terms, accusing Mr Netanyahu of deliberate obstruction. "The mediators are aware that Hamas showed flexibility and positivity and paved the way to reaching an agreement, as well as bypassing Israeli obstacles," said Mr. Reshiq.
Another Hamas official told Hamas' Al-Aqsa television that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had set new "impossible" conditions regarding the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, that he had refused to withdraw from the Rafah crossing and border line with Egypt and had refused to release Palestinian prisoners who have received extended sentences. Washington, which supports the talks, has repeatedly said a deal is close. The latest talks revolve around a proposal that President Joe Biden presented in May.
Hamas wants a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza, while Mr Netanyahu says the conflict will only stop once Hamas is defeated. There is also disagreement over how a potential deal would be implemented. The mediating countries, Qatar and Egypt, supported by the United States, have repeatedly said that the door to further negotiations remains open, while Israel and Hamas express their willingness to negotiate./VOA
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