Report: Netanyahu presents Hamas with new demand
Israel's Premier will in a Hostage Deal with Hamas prevent the return of terrorists to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip. Insiders see this as a new demand that could derail an agreement. The office of Netanyahu denies this in "walla.co.il", the relatives are angry.
According to a media report, a new demand from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could threaten diplomatic efforts to reach a hostage deal with the Islamic Hamas during the Gaza War. Netanyahu reportedly 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. Journalist Barak Ravid wrote this in the news portal "walla.co.il" based on an unnamed Israeli participant in the current indirect negotiations. Egypt, Qatar, and the US are mediating. Several participants in the negotiation team expressed concerns about this new demand, the source added. It is not feasible. It is unclear why Netanyahu raised this demand.
The Prime Minister's Office rejected the claim in "walla.co.il" that Netanyahu made a new demand as "fundamentally false and baseless". Critics suspect Netanyahu of not being interested in a negotiated solution. Netanyahu governs in a coalition with ultra-religious and right-wing parties, whom he must consider. In the slow-moving talks, mostly in Cairo or Doha, the discussions revolve around the exchange of the remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas custody for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and ways to achieve a lasting truce in the Gaza War.
Hamas seemed to be moving
Recently, cautious optimism had emerged in negotiating circles as Hamas appeared to soften some of its rigid positions. Reports of Netanyahu's alleged new demand put the families of the hostages on alert. "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."
The trigger for the war was the unprecedented massacre committed by Hamas terrorists and other extremist Palestinian organizations in Southern Israel on October 7. The attackers killed over 1,200 people and took over 250 as hostages to the Gaza Strip.
- The alleged new demand from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, requiring a hostage deal with Hamas to prevent the return of armed fighters to the Northern part of the Gaza Strip, has sparked concerns among negotiators involved in the Israel-War.
- The families of the hostages, who have been closely following the negotiations, expressed their dismay and fear that Netanyahu's demand could potentially jeopardize an opportunity for peace and potentially lead to further hostage-taking incidents.
- The hostage-taking incident during the Israel-War has been a significant point of contention, with Hamas facing international condemnation for their role in the attacks and the subsequent detention of Israeli hostages.
