Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ terms, ceasefire talks stalled

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today sharply condemned Hamas’ demands for an end to the war in exchange for the release of hostages, saying it would keep the Palestinian group in power and pose a threat to Israel, Reuters wrote. IN

The leader of the Palestinian movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, said in a statement that the movement is interested in reaching a comprehensive ceasefire that would end “Israeli aggression”, guarantee Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ensure the exchange of hostages.

Today, Netanyahu hardened his rejection of Hamas’ demands for an end to the war in Gaza. But he said Israel was willing to suspend the fighting to secure the release of the hostages still being held by Hamas. According to estimates, their number probably exceeds 130.

Netanyahu said that Israel has shown willingness, but Hamas continues to take extreme positions, chief among them the demand to withdraw all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, end the war and leave Hamas in power. “Israel cannot accept that. This would allow Hamas to fulfill its promise to carry out massacres, rapes and kidnappings again and again and again,” he stated.

In his statement, Haniyeh accused the Israeli prime minister of continuing aggression, widening the conflict and sabotaging efforts for a ceasefire through mediators.

Negotiations between Hamas representatives on a cease-fire with Egyptian and Qatari mediators continue for the second day in Cairo today. So far, there has been no apparent progress as Hamas insists that any deal must end the war in Gaza.

Authorities in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip reported today that at least 34,683 Palestinians have been killed and another 78,018 wounded in the war since last October. At least 29 people have died in the last 24 hours. These data cannot be independently verified, but according to experts, they more or less correspond to reality.

The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. According to Israeli data, 1,200 people were killed in the attack and more than 250 were kidnapped. Less than half of them have since been released.