From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Hamas leader accuses Israel of sabotaging hostage talks with hospital raid
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Hamas’s Qatar-based chief Ismail Haniyeh accuses Israel of sabotaging truce talks after its raid on Gaza’s largest hospital, which Israel said targeted senior terrorists who had returned to use the medical facility as a headquarters.
The IDF said dozens of terrorists were killed and arrested during a raid on Gaza City’s Shifa, a complex crowded with patients and displaced people.
“The actions of the Zionist occupation forces at Shifa Medical Complex confirm their intent to obstruct the recovery of life in Gaza and dismantle essential aspects of human existence,” Haniyeh says.
“The deliberate targeting of police officers and government officials in Gaza illustrates their efforts to sow chaos and perpetuate violence among our resilient people. This also reveals the occupation leaders’ endeavor to sabotage ongoing negotiations in Doha,” he adds.
Negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release were underway in Doha and a counter-proposal could soon be presented to Hamas, Qatar said.
Mossad head David Barnea had flown in for talks with the Qatari prime minister and Egyptian officials on Monday, the first since mediators failed to secure a truce before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last week.
The Times of Israel Community.