Hamas claims Israel imposing new conditions, delaying potential hostage-ceasefire deal

Demonstrators hoist signs during an anti-government protest calling for the release of hostages, outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, December 21, 2024. (Jack Guez / AFP)
Demonstrators hoist signs during an anti-government protest calling for the release of hostages, outside the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, December 21, 2024. (Jack Guez / AFP)

In a statement, the Hamas terror group claims that negotiations for a potential ceasefire-hostage deal are being delayed by Israel imposing new conditions.

Hamas says the talks are “proceeding seriously in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian mediation” and that the terror group “has shown responsibility and flexibility.”

However, the terror group claims that Israel “has set new issues and conditions related to the withdrawal [of troops], the ceasefire, the prisoners and the return of the displaced, which delayed reaching the agreement that was available.”

Gaps between Israel and the Hamas terror group over a possible Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal have narrowed, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials’ remarks earlier this week, though crucial differences have yet to be resolved. Hamas is reportedly yet to hand over a list of the hostages, living or dead, to be released in the first stage of a potential truce.

The war started with the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 251 people to Gaza as hostages.

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