Hamas accuses Netanyahu of stalling ceasefire deal by adding new conditions
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of retreating from a proposal previously presented by mediators.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
CAIRO – Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 29 of preventing a ceasefire in Gaza by adding new conditions and demands to a US-backed truce proposal, after the latest talks conducted through mediators.
The group said it received the latest response from Israel, following talks in Rome involving Israel, the US, 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 setting new conditions and demands,” Hamas said in a statement.
It accused Mr Netanyahu of retreating from a proposal previously presented by mediators, which it said was already based on an “Israeli paper”.
Washington, which sponsored the talks, has repeatedly said a deal is close. The latest talks are over a proposal President Joe Biden unveiled in May.
Hamas wants a ceasefire agreement to end the war in Gaza, while Mr Netanyahu says the conflict will stop only once Hamas is defeated.
Mediators Qatar and Egypt, backed by the US, have repeatedly said doors to more negotiations remain open, with both Israel and Hamas voicing readiness to pursue them. REUTERS
