Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations, every blaming the opposite for hindering negotiations on a Gaza truce and a hostage launch deal, although the discussions stay ongoing.
As Iran ready to retaliate towards Israel with a whole lot of drones and missiles for a current assault in Damascus, Hamas introduced it had responded to the newest cease-fire proposal.
While not outright rejecting the draft deal, the Palestinian group reiterated its calls for for a everlasting cease-fire and the entire withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a stance Israeli officers have constantly opposed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his intent to launch a floor invasion of Rafah, the final Gaza metropolis but to face such motion, which Israel considers Hamas’ final main stronghold.
Netanyahu has squarely blamed Hamas for being the first impediment to a deal that will safe the discharge of hostages held in Gaza.
“The cabinet and the security forces are united in their opposition to these unfounded demands,” he stated, including that Hamas “has refused any deal and any compromise proposal.”
On Sunday, Israel’s Mossad spy company stated in an announcement launched by Netanyahu’s workplace that Hamas had rejected the proposal and stated it “proves” that Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar “does not want a humanitarian deal and the return of the hostages.”
Sinwar was “continuing to exploit the tension with Iran,” Mossad stated and was aiming for “a general escalation in the region.”
The feedback got here simply hours earlier than Iran launched greater than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, the overwhelming majority of which had been intercepted, in keeping with Israel.
Not at a standstill
Mossad stated Israel would “continue to work to achieve the objectives of the war against Hamas with all its might and will turn every stone to bring back the hostages from Gaza.”
Despite the obvious gulf between the 2 sides, the talks, mediated by Egypt, the United States and Qatar, are ongoing within the Egyptian capital.
“The negotiations are not at a standstill,” however the mediators must return to the drafting board, stated Hasni Abidi of CERMAM, a Geneva-based assume tank specializing within the Mediterranean and the Arab world.
A framework being circulated in Cairo would halt preventing for six weeks and see the trade of about 40 hostages for a whole lot of Palestinian prisoners, in addition to extra help deliveries into the besieged Gaza Strip.
A Hamas supply advised Agence France-Presse – (AFP) that, in the end, later phases of the cease-fire would see all hostages launched, Israel withdrawing all its forces from Gaza, the lifting of the siege and the reconstruction of the territory.
However, each try to barter a sturdy cease-fire within the six-month-long conflict has failed.
In November, a seven-day truce enabled the trade of 80 hostages for 240 Palestinian prisoners, in addition to 25 captives freed exterior of the truce mechanism.
The newest battle broke out with Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion on southern Israel, which resulted within the deaths of round 1,200.
Israel’s retaliatory assault, aimed toward destroying Hamas, has killed no less than 33,729 folks, largely ladies and kids, in keeping with the well being ministry within the Hamas-run territory.
Hamas additionally took about 250 hostages, 129 of whom stay in Gaza.
Israel withdrew most of its troops from the Gaza Strip on the six-month anniversary of the conflict, leaving solely a single brigade in central Gaza whereas persevering with to launch air strikes and bombardments.
Netanyahu has repeated his dedication to launch a floor invasion of Rafah, the place round 1.5 million Gazans are sheltering from the conflict, regardless of opposition from Israel’s prime ally, the U.S.
He additionally faces growing strain from the Israeli public and the households of the hostages, with mass weekly demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem demanding an finish to his authorities and the return of the captives.
Source: www.dailysabah.com