Tense negotiations for a second temporary ceasefire in the war in Gaza appear to have broken down after Hamas officials were angered by Israeli comments that fighting would continue regardless of the ceasefire.
While talks to free the 40 hostages appeared to be moving in a positive direction yesterday, Hamas officials said Thursday they would not discuss any hostage exchange deal “unless the aggression is completely stopped.”
It echoes senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad’s recent comments to Al Jazeera, in which he accused the Jewish state of trying to get the terror group to temporarily stop seeking an end to the war that is ravaging Gaza.
“Some people are looking for a little break – a break here and there for a week, two weeks, three weeks,” Hamad said. “But we want to stop the invasion [completely].”
“Israel will take the hostage card and after that they will start a new round of genocide and genocide against our people,” he added. “We’re not going to play this game.”
Israel has reiterated that the war in Gaza will not end until Hamas is eliminated. AFP via Getty Images Clouds of smoke engulf the Gaza Strip on Thursday following Israeli bombardment. AFP via Getty Images Refugees fleeing to southern Gaza are forced to flee further as the war consumes the entire Palestinian territory. AP
Hamas’ rejection followed a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday night in which he reiterated that regardless of any ceasefire, the war will not end until the terrorist group is eliminated.
“Anyone who thinks that we will stop is out of touch with reality,” Netanyahu said. “We continue the war until the end. It will continue until Hamas is eliminated — until victory.”
The comments came as Egyptian and Qatari negotiators remained in talks with representatives of Israel and Hamas in an attempt to broker a deal to release 40 additional hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, the freedom of Palestinian prisoners and more aid for Gaza.
Their families who are still detained in Gaza demand that Israel reach an agreement to release them immediately. Getty Images Israeli protests have dragged on for weeks in Tel Aviv as loved ones remain in detention for more than two months. Getty Images
“Serious talks between Israel and Hamas through mediators are underway in an attempt to break the deadlock, but progress is still slow and there is still no significant breakthrough,” a source briefed on the talks told the Financial Times.
The Jewish state believes there are still 128 hostages in Gaza, not all of them alive, following a week-long ceasefire deal that saw 105 captives released last month.
On Tuesday, Israel’s three main TV networks presented the Jewish state’s negotiating goals, revealing that their government wants to see Hamas release certain hostages, including women, the elderly and those with physical or mental illnesses.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the ceasefire is only temporary and that the fighting will only end with the defeat of Hamas. via REUTERS Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said his group would not release any more hostages until Israel leaves Gaza. WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
President Biden told reporters yesterday that the US is also pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement amid reports that the death toll in Gaza exceeds 20,000.
“We rejected it. There are no expectations at this point, but we are pressing,” Biden said
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
