Hamas says Netanyahu set new conditions hindering completion of cease-fire deal

GAZA CITY (Palestine): Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set new conditions in the Gaza cease-fire and hostage swap proposal that was negotiated in Doha on Thursday and Friday, preventing the completion of the deal.

“The new proposal meets Netanyahu’s conditions and aligns with them, particularly his refusal of a permanent cease-fire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing the occupation of the Netzarim Junction (which separates the north and south of the Gaza Strip), the Rafah crossing, and the Philadelphi Corridor (in the south),” Hamas said in a statement.

“He also set new conditions in the hostage swap file and retracted from other terms, which obstructs the completion of the deal.”

Following the most recent round of negotiations in Doha, Hamas confirmed “once again that Netanyahu is still putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement, setting new conditions and demands to sabotage the mediators’ efforts and prolong the war.”

The movement emphasized its commitment to the agreement reached on July 2, based on a proposal supported by US President Joe Biden and a UN Security Council resolution.

It urged the mediators “to fulfill their responsibilities and compel the occupation (Israeli) to implement what has been agreed upon.”

Cease-fire talks in Doha ended on Friday after “a proposal that narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas, which is consistent with the principles laid out by Biden on May 31st.

Biden said in May that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan calls for a cease-fire, an exchange of hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack that claimed 1,200 lives and took approximately 250 hostages, Israel has killed over 40,000 Palestinians. Israeli actions have resulted in a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial at the International Court of Justice for alleged genocide crimes.

For months, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have attempted to broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a hostage exchange and cease-fire, but to no avail. A weeklong truce and hostage swap in exchange for Palestinian prisoners ended on December 1.