Netanyahu presents new demands to Hamas
Israel's Premier will in a Hostage Deal with Hamas prevent the return of terrorists to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip. This new demand could threaten the ongoing diplomatic efforts for a hostage agreement with the Islamic Hamas during the Gaza War. According to a well-informed journalist, Barak Ravid, writing in the news portal "walla.co.il", Netanyahu set this as an additional condition for the conclusion of an agreement, requiring it to include regulations preventing the return of armed fighters from the South to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip. Several members of the negotiation team have expressed objections to this new demand, the source added.
A new demand from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a media report, could reportedly derail diplomatic efforts for a hostage deal with the Islamist Hamas during the Gaza War. Netanyahu allegedly made this demand during consultations with Israeli negotiators, requiring that the agreement include regulations preventing the return of armed fighters from the South to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip. This information was reported by the well-informed journalist Barak Ravid in the news portal "walla.co.il", citing an unnamed Israeli participant in the ongoing indirect negotiations being mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
Hamas seems to be moving
Recently, there had been cautious optimism in negotiating circles, as the Hamas appeared to have relaxed some of its rigid positions. However, reports of Netanyahu's purported new demand put the families of the hostages in alarm. "We are appalled and shocked by this irresponsible behavior," the Hostage Families Forum stated. "It could lead to missing an opportunity that may never return again."
Netanyahu now also demands that the Israeli army maintain control over the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the border between Gaza and Egypt in the southern part of Gaza. According to Israel, Hamas has used this border area for the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army had taken control of the corridor a few weeks ago. The "Wall Street Journal" reported that during the latest negotiations in Cairo, where Egypt, Qatar, and the United States were mediating between Israel and Hamas, ideas were being discussed on how to secure this border area without the presence of the Israeli army.
Egypt wants Israel to withdraw its troops from the area. However, Netanyahu's office made it clear in a statement: "The Minister-Prime Minister insists that Israel will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor." Standing firm on this point means "there is no agreement," according to a former officer of the Israeli military intelligence and head of a forum for Palestinian studies at the University of Tel Aviv.
- This new demand from Netanyahu, potentially disrupting hostage-takings negotiations with Hamas, has raised concerns within Israel's politics.
- The ongoing Politics of Israel-War has seen Netanyahu demanding regulations to prevent armed fighters from the South from returning to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip in any potential hostage agreement with Hamas.
- Despite reported hostage-takings by Hamas during the Israel-War, Netanyahu's strict conditions, such as keeping control of the Philadelphi Corridor, may hinder the reaching of a diplomatic agreement.
