Hamas reproaches Netanyahu for setting new conditions for an agreement

Jul 29. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of setting new conditions in negotiations for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

“Netanyahu has once again returned to the strategy of procrastination, delays and evasion to avoid an agreement by putting forward new conditions and demands,” the Palestinian group said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.

Israel has reportedly backed out of “what the mediators presented as part of the May 31 proposal.” Hamas has stressed that Israel was the one who drafted the May 31 proposal.

Hamas’ statement was issued after a meeting in Rome on Sunday between US CIA director William Burns, Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohamed al-Zani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

Israeli sources said Barnea presented a list of clarifications regarding the three-phase agreement proposal presented on May 31 by US President Joe Biden on behalf of Israel.

Following Hamas’ statement, Netanyahu accused the Palestinian armed group itself of “preventing an agreement.” “Israel has not changed or added any conditions to the proposal. On the contrary, it is Hamas that has so far asked for 29 changes and has not responded to the original proposal,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Netanyahu thus remains faithful to the preconditions: “maximizing the number of live hostages (released), Israeli control of the Philadelphia Corridor and preventing terrorists and weapons from reaching the northern Gaza Strip.”