Hamas Accuses Netanyahu of Sabotaging Gaza Ceasefire Deal
In a statement, Hamas said, 'The war criminal Netanyahu is placing obstacles in the path of reaching an agreement that would lead to the release of prisoners and an end to the aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.'
The group added that it had previously offered a comprehensive exchange deal, under which all captives would be released in one phase, in return for a permanent cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip, and the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to allow Palestinians to rebuild their lives.
Hamas said Netanyahu rejected that proposal and continues to stall and impose new conditions.
'The movement continues its positive and responsible engagement in the negotiations,' noted the statement's conclusion.
Netanyahu's remarks came during a speech in Washington, where he reiterated that while he wants a deal on Gaza, it 'will not be at any price.'
He also said he is working with former U.S. President Donald Trump to secure Israel's security objectives, emphasizing that a comprehensive deal is currently not possible.
Netanyahu stated that negotiations to end the war would begin only after a ceasefire is in place, warning that 'if Hamas is not disarmed and dismantled within 60 days, we will resume fighting.'
'We will enter negotiations to permanently end the war, but this must happen on our terms. If Hamas is disarmed through talks, that's good. If not, we will do whatever it takes to achieve our goals,' he said during his visit to the U.S. capital.
Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza, added, 'Determining who will be released is not entirely in our hands. We want to free all the abductees at once, but this process happens in two stages and is not fully under our control.'
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