Hamas Rejects Netanyahu’s New Terms in Negotiations
Hamas warns that Israeli prisoners will not be released if Netanyahu does not comply
Hamas spokesperson, Rishk, issued a warning on Telegram stating that if Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is not pressured to adhere to the agreements made, the prisoners of Israel held by Hamas will not be released. Rishk criticized Netanyahu for adding new conditions to the draft agreement, stating that these new demands would only hinder progress in the negotiations.
According to Rishk, Israel and the US are trying to impose additional conditions on Hamas in an attempt to avoid taking responsibility for the attacks on Palestinian people. He accused them of using lies and disrupting negotiations to further their own agenda.
Negotiations between the parties have been ongoing for a significant period of time in an effort to reach a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement. The talks aim to put an end to the continuous attacks on the Gaza Strip that have been occurring since October 7, 2023. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has come under scrutiny from both Israeli and international communities for allegedly stalling the prisoner swap agreement with Hamas for political reasons.
The inclusion of new articles in the draft agreement, particularly Israel’s insistence on maintaining control over strategic locations such as the Egypt-Gaza border and the Philadelphi Corridor, has made negotiations challenging. It is clear that reaching a resolution will require both parties to make concessions and compromise on their respective demands.
