Hamas responds to ceasefire proposal, blames Netanyahu for stalling
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Netanyahu set new conditions for the prisoner exchange and backed down on other commitments, which prevented the completion of the exchange deal.
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Resistance fighters from the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a military wing of Hamas, hold their national flags while marching with their rifles along the streets of Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Friday, May 28, 2021 (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
According to a statement made by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas Sunday evening, the movement has "acted with full responsibility" towards mediators in Qatar and Egypt and considered the proposals aimed at reaching an agreement to stop the aggression in Gaza and to conclude a captive agreement.
The movement reported that this was done to "spare the blood of our people and put an end to the genocide, ethnic cleansing. and brutal massacres" being waged on the Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation.
The movement also said it endorsed the mediators' plan in May welcomed Joe Biden's statement and the text of the UN Security Council resolution, and replied positively to the mediators' proposal on July 2, 2024.
After the trilateral statement, Hamas said it urged mediators to present a plan to implement the proposal so negotiations do not become a vicious cycle, referring to how it has been made clear that Netanyahu's stalling and adding obstacles to prolong the aggression and buy himself more time in power.
"After listening to the mediators regarding what transpired in the latest round of talks in Doha, it became clear to us once again that Netanyahu is still placing obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement, setting new conditions and demands aimed at thwarting the mediators' efforts and prolonging the war," the statement detailed.
Hamas detailed how the new proposal aligns with Netanyahu's conditions, particularly his refusal to a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim axis, the Rafah crossing, and the Philadelphia corridor."
Netanyahu set new conditions for the prisoner exchange and backed down on other commitments, which prevented the completion of the exchange deal.
The resistance movement held Netanyahu "fully responsible for the failure of the mediators' efforts, the obstruction of reaching an agreement, and full responsibility for the lives of his captives, who are exposed to the same danger as our people due to his continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip."
Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement on July 2nd, based on Biden's proposal and the UNDC resolution, calling on mediators to fulfill their responsibilities and oblige the occupation to implement the agreement.
Settler protesters against Netanyahu: Resignation or death
Protests erupted in Tel Aviv against Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, with demonstrators demanding a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance. Some protesters threatened that if Netanyahu did not resign, they would ensure his death.
Families of Israeli captives being held in the Gaza Strip demonstrated on Saturday evening, urging the government to finalize a prisoner swap. They criticized Netanyahu's conditions, claiming they are obstructing the agreement.
In a statement read outside the Security Ministry in Tel Aviv, the families stressed that "Israel" faces a critical crossroads: Either a deal or escalation.
Simultaneously, protests occurred in northern occupied Palestine, in Haifa and Karmiel, where demonstrators also called for a prisoner exchange.
Recently, a committee representing the families accused Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of repeatedly sabotaging the exchange deal. They criticized the neglect of captives since the war's outbreak on October 7.
Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz warned that the captives being held by the Palestinian Resistance "have no more time left."
A political source confirmed to Israel Hayom that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that "Israel" will be able to resume battles after the implementation of the ceasefire (if one is reached).
The source reported that Netanyahu "continues to insist on receiving formal written approval from the United States for this principle," according to the Israeli website.
Israeli media reported earlier that Netanyahu was holding political consultations aimed at ensuring that a prisoner exchange deal would not affect the government coalition.
