New terms for hostage deal: Netanyahu denies charges
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected allegations that he has set new conditions for hostage negotiations with Hamas. A letter from Netanyahu from late July did not contain additional demands and did not contradict the proposal from late May, his office said. Instead, Netanyahu accused the Islamic Hamas of pushing for changes to the May draft. The "New York Times" had recently reported on new demands from Israel.
US President Joe Biden presented a draft deal at the end of May that initially calls for a full and unrestricted six-week ceasefire. During this period, a specific group of hostages would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released. In the next phase, the fighting would be permanently halted, and the remaining hostages would be freed. In the final phase, the draft states that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin.
Another round of talks is scheduled for Thursday. Both the mediators, the US, Qatar, and Egypt, as well as Israel, have stated that their representatives will attend the talks in Doha or Cairo. Whether Hamas representatives will participate is still uncertain. These discussions could be crucial for easing the explosive situation throughout the Middle East.
For days, a retaliatory strike by Iran and its allies against Israel has been feared, among other reasons due to the killing of a Hamas leader in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
- Despite Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denying the introduction of new conditions in hostage negotiations with Hamas, there are reports suggesting that Israel has presented new demands in the peace process.
- The upcoming negotiations with Hamas could be instrumental in resolving the hostage situation, as both sides need to come to an agreement on the conditions, ensuring a peaceful release of all hostages.
