Netanyahu says he has accepted the latest US deal proposal and accuses Hamas of rejecting it

September 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he had accepted the latest proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip presented by the United States on August 16, but again accused the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) of rejecting the pact.

Netanyahu said the Palestinian militant group “is trying to hide the fact that it continues to oppose the possibility of reaching an agreement that would lead to the release of the hostages,” according to a statement posted by his office on his account on the social network X.

“While Israel accepts the final US proposal, Hamas rejects it and even executes six hostages in cold blood,” he said, adding that the world “must ask Hamas to immediately release the hostages.”

His comments come just two days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US government plans to present a “new formula” for an agreement soon.

An estimated 97 hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the 7 October attacks on Israeli soil remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 33 hostages whose deaths have been confirmed by the Israeli military.