Israel and Hamas exchanged blame on Wednesday for delays in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as hopes for an end to the conflict remain uncertain.
Hamas announced that talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt in Doha were “progressing seriously.” However, the group accused Israel of introducing “new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal [from Gaza], the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people.” Hamas claimed these new demands have caused “the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach.”
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied the accusations. The statement alleged that Hamas had “backtracked on understandings already reached” and was “hindering the negotiations.” Israel emphasized that it would continue “relentless efforts to return hostages.”
Following a week of discussions in Doha, Israel recalled its delegation, stating that the team was returning for “internal consultations regarding the continuation of negotiations for the return of our hostages.”
The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the length of any proposed ceasefire have been central issues in previous failed negotiations. Hamas seeks a complete end to the war, while Israel insists on removing Hamas’s control over Gaza before any resolution and maintaining a military presence in the enclave even after a ceasefire.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz heightened concerns of a prolonged conflict by stating on Wednesday that Israeli forces would remain in Gaza and maintain “security control” over the territory. During a visit to a buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border, Katz declared, “Security control in Gaza will remain in the hands of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].” He added that Israeli forces would stay in “security zones, buffer areas, and control positions” within Gaza to “ensure the safety of [Israeli] communities.”
“There will be no Hamas government here, nor a Hamas military—a new reality will emerge thanks to the ongoing fighting,” Katz said.
Amid these developments, Israeli airstrikes early Thursday resulted in at least 10 deaths and more than a dozen injuries in Gaza, according to medical officials with the Gaza health authorities. Five people were killed and 20 wounded in an airstrike on a house in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. The death toll is expected to rise as many remain trapped under rubble.
In a separate incident, five journalists were killed when their vehicle was struck near Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat, central Gaza, as reported by the enclave’s health authorities. The journalists worked for the Al-Quds Al-Youm television channel. Palestinian media and local reporters stated that the vehicle was clearly marked as a media van and was used to report from inside the hospital and Nuseirat camp.
There was no immediate comment from Israel regarding the reported strikes.
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Israel, Hamas trade blame for delays in reaching Gaza ceasefire deal
cgtn.com
