Israeli negotiator calls Hamas’s position ‘delusional’
A member of Israel’s negotiation team says a Hamas demand that Israel halt the war in Gaza in order to reach a ceasefire deal is “delusional”, according to a report by Israel’s Ynet news site.
“It won’t happen,” the unnamed official told Ynet. “Israel is fighting in Gaza, it will continue to fight in Gaza with all its strength, and if they [Hamas] want a truce for the benefit of Gaza’s residents, it must only be through negotiating the release of hostages.”
Yesterday, Hamas issued a statement saying it is ready to “reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal”, but it cannot negotiate while Israel continues its “aggression, siege, starvation and genocide of our people”.
Mediated talks between Israel and Hamas to forge a ceasefire and prisoner-captive exchange have been stalled for weeks, with each side blaming the other for a lack of progress.
Hamas leader says group will not be replaced
Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political bureau, has maintained that the group will keep its influence even after the war. “Those who speak of ‘the day after’ must understand, the Palestinian people won’t have Hamas replaced,” Haniyeh said in a statement.
“Faced with the prices we paid,” he continued, “a national Palestinian plan must be promoted based on a unified leadership under the framework of the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s institutions which will rule both Gaza and the West Bank.”
Haniyeh also said Hamas has not altered its position on a potential captive-exchange deal, insisting it must come with a full ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
