Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s office accused the Hamas terror group of distorting the truth about the ongoing negotiations for hostages and a ceasefire, alleging that Hamas was retracting previously agreed terms, Times of Israel reports. Despite earlier hopeful comments from senior officials, talks appear to have stalled once again.
“The terrorist organization Hamas is lying again,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, “reneging on the understandings already reached, and continuing to make it difficult for the negotiations.”
“Nevertheless, Israel will continue tirelessly in its efforts to bring home all of our hostages,” the statement added.
Israeli officials claimed that Hamas had backed away from a softened position that could have paved the way for a ceasefire and hostage agreement, choosing instead to revert to a stance that has obstructed progress in the negotiations.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new demands in the talks, which they argued was responsible for the delay in reaching an agreement.
In a statement accusing Israel of sabotaging the discussions, Hamas claimed that the ceasefire talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, had been moving “in a serious manner.” The group further asserted that it had shown “responsibility and flexibility.”
However, according to Hamas, Israel “has set new issues and conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced [Gazans to their homes], which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”
The exchange of accusations dampened the previous optimism expressed by officials about the possibility of finalizing a deal, which had been mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
Unnamed sources revealed to the Kan public broadcaster that Hamas leader in Gaza, Muhammad Sinwar, is proving to be even more rigid in negotiations than his late brother, Yahya, the former head of the terror group, who was killed by Israel in October.
The sources indicated that Hamas has not yielded to pressure to adopt a more flexible stance.
Israeli officials speaking to Yisroel Hayom noted that Hamas had shifted back from an initial position of compromise, which had allowed for a renewed push toward an agreement in recent weeks. They also pointed to Sinwar’s obstinacy as a significant factor in the breakdown of talks.
“Hamas is effectively backing down from the softening that led to the renewal of the talks, and is once again demanding an Israeli commitment to end the war at the end of the comprehensive deal as a condition for implementing its first phase,” an unnamed senior official explained to the newspaper.
Both reports indicated that a major hurdle in the negotiations is Hamas’s refusal to provide a list of both living and deceased hostages who would be released during the first phase of the planned three-phase ceasefire.
The first phase would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — women, children, older men, and the sick.
Women, children, and older men would be released initially, followed by a list of sick hostages to be released after seven days, according to Kan.
However, there is a disagreement over which hostages should be considered “sick,” as Israel is demanding that younger men who are injured or unwell be included, while Hamas views all younger men as soldiers and, therefore, valuable captives to hold for future negotiations.
In addition to the list, other key points of contention include the number of Palestinian security prisoners Israel is willing to release for each hostage, and Hamas’s insistence that the ceasefire agreement outline the terms for a permanent end to the war, which it had previously abandoned.
{Matzav.com Israel}