Netanyahu calls Hamas permanent ceasefire demands 'unacceptable'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 May 2024 19:20

Netanyahu claims his cabinet would never give up on its military objectives in Gaza, adding that their withdrawal means "Israel's" capitulation and "a huge victory for Hamas, Iran."

A girl looks at a poster of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu during a pro-Palestine protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 21, 2024 (AP)

During a video message broadcast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that he is 'ready' to reach a ceasefire and to get the captives released through a deal with the Palestinian Resistance.

Netanyahu then went on to say that the Resistance made unacceptable demands such as putting an end to the war by asking for a permanent ceasefire.

"Hamas continues making extreme demands. Their main demand is that we withdraw all our troops from the Gaza Strip, put an end to the war, and leave Hamas alone. The State of Israel cannot accept these terms," Netanyahu said.

However, he said his cabinet would never give up on its military objectives in Gaza, adding that their withdrawal means "Israel's" capitulation and "a huge victory for Hamas, Iran."

"Israel was and is still ready to make a deal on a pause in fighting to ensure the release of our kidnapped people. We did this to free 124 hostages and then we were back to fighting. We have spent the past few weeks working around the clock to reach a deal that will bring the kidnapped back," he stressed.

He claimed that "Israel" demonstrated its readiness to reach a deal during the latest session of indirect talks with Hamas in Cairo despite refusing a permanent ceasefire.

Not so fast

On his part, Hamas the head of Hamas' Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh said that the Resistance remains committed to reaching a ceasefire deal, guaranteeing that "Israel" withdraws from Gaza.

"The Hamas movement remains committed to reaching a comprehensive, mutually binding agreement that would put an end to aggression, guarantee the withdrawal of troops, and allow for a serious prisoner exchange deal," he said.

According to Haniyeh, an end to the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people is an "essential and rational" prerequisite to a mediated deal.

Hamas discussed the issue with Palestinian factions and mediators, holding "concentrated meetings" among its leaders in Gaza and elsewhere, before sending its negotiating delegation to Egypt, Haniyeh added.

The delegation was informed of the movement's "positive and flexible" position on a deal, the top official explained.

"The world has become a hostage to an extremist government, plagued by a vast array of political problems and crimes committed in Gaza," he underlined.