'Israel' voiced position to US on direct talks with Hamas: Netanyahu
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he conveyed to the United States his opinion on holding direct talks with Hamas as the ceasefire deal falters.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks in al-Quds, occupied Palestine, on October 28, 2024. (UPI pool via AP)
The Israeli occupation has informed the United States of its opinion on holding direct negotiations with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday without providing any further details on what said "opinion" was.
"Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas," Netanyahu's office said.
The United States has been holding separate talks with Hamas to secure the release of two American captives still held in Gaza, Reuters reported, citing sources.
Ceasefire talks fail to advance to second phase
On Saturday, a senior Palestinian Resistance official told Al Mayadeen that negotiations in Cairo have failed to pave the way for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, blaming the Israeli regime for obstructing progress.
According to the official, the Israeli occupation is deliberately stalling to prolong the first phase of the agreement while gradually securing the release of its captives.
He accused the Israeli regime of violating the deal by delaying entry into second-phase negotiations and reaffirmed that the Resistance would not release any captives without a comprehensive agreement.
"The Israeli side is attempting to use blackmail tactics, but we reject any deal that is not part of a full-package agreement," the official stated.
The official also noted that mediators have been unsuccessful in persuading the Israeli regime to engage in the next phase of talks. He added that Israeli political leaders are pressuring negotiators to extend the first phase on the condition that Hamas releases additional captives.
