On Wednesday, Hamas released a statement reaffirming its rejection of renewed discussions for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, holding Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu responsible for the collapse of the negotiations.
According to Reuters, the statement from Hamas emphasized there was no need for new proposals regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. It urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to accept a US plan that the group claimed it had already agreed to.
Hamas alleged that Netanyahu was deliberately sabotaging the talks by insisting that Israel retain control over the Philadelphi corridor, a key area in southern Gaza.
“We warn against falling into Netanyahu’s trap and tricks, as he uses negotiations to prolong the aggression against our people,” the statement said.
This statement was made ahead of a new truce proposal expected from the United States, which aims to break the current stalemate between Israel and Hamas.
The US has been promoting a ceasefire and hostage exchange plan, initially outlined by President Joe Biden in May. Despite claiming to support such proposals, Hamas has continuously turned down each offer presented to it.
The latest remarks from Hamas followed a press conference held by Netanyahu in English, where he emphasized the importance of maintaining Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor.
“Gaza cannot have a future if Gaza remains porous and you can enable the rearmament of terrorists through the Philadelphi Corridor,” Netanyahu explained.
He also highlighted the necessity of controlling the corridor to secure the release of remaining hostages. “If you leave this corridor, you can’t prevent Hamas from not only smuggling weapons in, you can’t prevent them from smuggling hostages out. It’s walking distance. It’s nothing,” he said.
Netanyahu warned that hostages could “disappear in the Sinai, and then they end up in Iran or in Yemen. They’re gone forever.”
He further stressed that military pressure is essential to ensure Hamas releases the hostages. “So if you want to release the hostages, you’ve got to control the Philadelphi Corridor,” he asserted.
“It’s clear Gaza must be demilitarized. And it can only be demilitarized if the Philadelphi Corridor remains under firm control and is not a supply line for armaments and for terror equipment. I think that’s clear to all Israelis,” he added.
On Sunday, The Washington Post reported that the US has been coordinating with Egypt and Qatar to finalize a “take it or leave it” deal. This proposal is expected to be presented to all parties involved in the upcoming weeks, with the understanding that if it is not accepted, US-led negotiations could conclude. It remains uncertain whether the discovery of six hostages will influence the likelihood of an agreement between Israel and Hamas in the near future.
{Matzav.com Israel}
Sorry. There is no such existence as aggression against these savage monsters. The kindest and most moral action that can and should be taken is the complete extermination of Hamas. Not one should be left alive. To trade terrorists that are incarcerated for hostages who are innocent is a mind boggling injustice. No one should be talling Israel to concede anything. The world needs to tell hamas that they must unconditionally return hostages. Then the world must insure that there are no surviving members of the terror group. There is no reason to negotiate with a terrorist. It’s not like we can preserve a life by diplomacy.
Bibi is 100% correct …………….don’t give in to Hamas …………they are still MURDERERS