Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hamas rejected all elements of the proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, which would have helped to release the hostages, dariknews.bg reported, citing AFP. >
“Hamas rejected everything... I hope this changes because I want the hostages to be released,” Netanyahu said at a press conference.
That cast doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough, a day after the State Department indicated it was “time to finalize this deal”.
“We are trying to find some area where we can start negotiations. They (Hamas) refuse to do this... (They said) there is nothing to talk about,” added the prime minister.
Netanyahu is under further domestic and international pressure to strike a deal to free the Israeli hostages after authorities announced the deaths of six whose bodies were found in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will maintain control over the “Philadelphia” corridor. along the border between Egypt and Gaza, vowing “not to give in to pressure” for that matter.
Hamas is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of stalled talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt.
Netanyahu reiterated his position on the “Philadelphia” corridor, but also insisted that it is not the only point of contention.
According to him, the questions about how many Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the hostages, whether Israel can veto the release of some prisoners and where the released prisoners should go, also remain unanswered.
“The whole issue is not resolved”, he said.
“Hamas rejected everything... I hope this changes because I want the hostages to be released,” Netanyahu said at a press conference.
That cast doubt on the possibility of a breakthrough, a day after the State Department indicated it was “time to finalize this deal”.
“We are trying to find some area where we can start negotiations. They (Hamas) refuse to do this... (They said) there is nothing to talk about,” added the prime minister.
Netanyahu is under further domestic and international pressure to strike a deal to free the Israeli hostages after authorities announced the deaths of six whose bodies were found in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will maintain control over the “Philadelphia” corridor. along the border between Egypt and Gaza, vowing “not to give in to pressure” for that matter.
Hamas is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of stalled talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt.
Netanyahu reiterated his position on the “Philadelphia” corridor, but also insisted that it is not the only point of contention.
According to him, the questions about how many Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the hostages, whether Israel can veto the release of some prisoners and where the released prisoners should go, also remain unanswered.
“The whole issue is not resolved”, he said.